WS FALL 25 digital edition

the journal of the mountain hunter and committed conservationist

OWN THE COLD

NEW HYPERDOWN COLLECTION

SETTING NEW STANDARDS IN WARMTH AND LIGHTWEIGHT PACKABILITY.

A RIPSTOP FACE FABRIC PROVIDES ADDED PROTECTION FROM RUGGED GLASSING TERRAIN.

In

the opportunity to take a photograph that would do him justice.

The

Photo: Jerry Herrod

Official publication of The Wild Sheep Foundation

WSF World Headquarters: 412 Pronghorn Trail • Bozeman, MT 59718 • 406-404-8750

Cody Office: 1285 Sheridan Avenue, Suites 260/275 • Cody, WY 82414 • 406-404-8750

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN: Charlie Kelly • ckelly@wildsheepfoundation.org ..............................

VICE CHAIR: Kyle Stelter • kstelter@wildsheepfoundation.org ..............................

SECRETARY: Jann Demaske • demaskes@msn.com .............................................

TREASURER: Larry Jacobs • lljacobs4@aol.com ...................................................

Clint Bentley • sheepspotr@aol.com

Bralli Clifford • bclifford@wildsheepfoundation.org

Sam Cunningham • scunningham@wildsheepfoundation.org

Kevin Kehoe • kkehoe@wildsheepfoundation.org

Larry Johns • ljohns@wildsheepfoundation.org

Emilio Rangel W. • emiliorw@me.com • rangel@wildsheepfoundation.org

Logan Richard Young • loganyoung270@gmail.com

Term Expires 2026

Term Expires 2028

Term Expires 2026

Term Expires 2027

Term Expires 2027

Term Expires 2028

Term Expires 2027

Term Expires 2028

Term Expires 2028

Term Expires 2027

Term Expires 2026

PRESIDENT & CEO Gray N. Thornton • gthornton@wildsheepfoundation.org

STAFF

PRESIDENT & CEO - EDITOR IN CHIEF, WILD SHEEP ® MAGAZINE: Gray N. Thornton • gthornton@wildsheepfoundation.org • Bozeman HQ

Corey Mason, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President of Conservation Certified Wildlife Biologist® cmason@WildSheepFoundation.org Carrollton, TX

Kim Nieters, VP of Operations - Auction Director knieters@WildSheepFoundation.org Cody, WY

Kevin Hurley, Vice President of Conservation—Emeritus Certified Wildlife Biologist® khurley@WildSheepFoundation.org Boise, ID

Terry Ziehl, Finance Director tziehl@WildSheepFoundation.org Cody, WY

Keith Balfourd, Director of Marketing & Communications keith@WildSheepFoundation.org Bozeman, MT

Julie Tripp, Awards & Publications Director jtripp@wildsheepfoundation.org Lolo, MT

Paige Culver, Development Manager pculver@WildSheepFoundation.org Bozeman, MT

Maddie Richards, Membership Manager/ <1 Clubs Manager mrichards@WildSheepFoundation.org Bozeman, MT

Justin Phillips, Graphic Arts & Design Jphillips@wildsheepfoundation.org Cody, WY

Megan Costanza, Banquets & Events Manager mcostanza@WildSheepFoundation.org Reno, NV

Mike Aiazzi, Expo & Exhibits Manager maiazzi@wildsheepfoundation.org Reno, NV

Jaime Teigen, E-Commerce & Office Administrator jteigen@wildsheepfoundation.org Bozeman, MT

Matt Dwonch, Marketing and Content Strategist mdwonch@wildsheepfoundation.org Bozeman, MT

Rebecca Anne Tuthill, Assistant (PT) rrebrovich@wildsheepfoundation.org Bozeman, MT

Margie Forster, Registration Assistant (PT) mforster@wildsheepfoundation.org Reno, NV

Morgan Stuart, Development Asst. & Program Coordinator (PT) mstuart@wildsheepfoundation.org Bozeman, MT

CONTRACT & CONSULTANTS

Dr. Ryan Brock, Youth Education Coordinator rbrock@wildsheepfoundation.org Reno, NV

Greg Schildwachter, Lobbyist greg@watershedresults.com Washington, DC

Charlie Booher, Lobbyist Associate Wildlife Biologist® charlie@watershedresults.com Missoula, MT

Kurt Alt, Conservation Director—International Programs altwildlife@yahoo.com kalt@wildsheepfoundation.org Bozeman, MT & Brussels, Belgium

Pat Cummings, DNWR—NTTR Project Lead Patrickcummings1002@gmail.com Las Vegas, NV

Maureen Jefferson, Conservation Permits Jm_hullinger@sbcglobal.net Las Vegas, NV

Bill Jex, Thinhorn Sheep Program Lead RPBio BC bjex@wildsheepfoundation.org Smithers, BC

Kevin Martin, USFS & BLM Planning Kevindmartin63@gmail.com Pendleton, OR

Ashley McEnroe, Staff Writer aoliverio@gmail.com Big Sky, MT

Shane Mahoney, Special Conservation Consultant shane@conservationvisions.com St. John’s, Newfoundland Chester Moore, Staff Writer chester@chestermoore.com Orange, TX

Scott Morrison, Editor & Designer, Wild Sheep® magazine scott@morrisioncreative.com Livingston, MT

Steve Rosenstock, Grant Writer Certified Wildlife Biologist® steve@wildsheepfoundation.org Flagstaff, AZ

Gray N. Thornton, Editor in Chief

Julie Tripp, Editor

Scott Morrison, Art/Design Director

Justin Phillips, Graphics/Design

CONTACT THE PUBLICATION PRODUCTION STAFF

Ken Nowicki, Field Editor

Chester Moore, Writer

Ashley McEnroe, Writer

Wayne van Zwoll, Contributor

Contributing photos, articles, stories, and research pertaining to wild sheep or the interests of the members of WSF are always welcome. Contributed material will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include a selfaddressed stamped envelope if you wish materials to be returned.

Greg Schildwachter, Columnist Morrison Creative Company, Inc. Magazine Design/Production

Advertising & Editorial Submissions

Wild Sheep Foundation Headquarters

412 Pronghorn Trail, Bozeman, MT 59718

ATTN: Editor

For more information on submission guidelines, meetings and convention information, and service, conservation and hunting award criteria, please visit our website at www.wildsheepfoundation.org. All membership dues include $28/year for a subscription to Wild Sheep® magazine.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE WILD SHEEP FOUNDATION OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, IN CONJUNCTION WITH MORRISON CREATIVE COMPANY, INC. OF LIVINGSTON, MT.

The Wild Sheep Foundation’s mission is to enhance wild sheep populations, promote scientific wildlife management, and educate the public and youth on sustainable use and the conservation benefits of hunting while promoting the interests of the hunter.

The tradition began on a November weekend at Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, in 1974. Thirteen wild sheep enthusiasts passed the time by sharing stories about their encounters with the majestic mountain creatures. After realizing how fortunate they were to have all shared such incredible experiences, they decided it was time to give something back. They forged FNAWS so men and women everywhere could get more involved in the positive management of wild sheep. It was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in Iowa on September 14, 1977, and began accepting paid memberships in 1978 as more people joined the cause. The commitment and noble spirit of FNAWS quickly helped the foundation become the fastest-growing wildlife conservation organization of its kind.

DISCLAIMER While Wild Sheep Foundation strives to attract quality advertisers and donors, it cannot be responsible for the ultimate quality of the products which they may present to our members and buyers. Neither the Wild Sheep Foundation nor its Officers or Directors is a guarantor of your satisfaction with the products it makes available to you. Our dedication is to the wild sheep of the world and not to policing our advertisers or donors. We cannot, under the law, reject an advertiser or donation simply because of a prior complaint from a dissatisfied consumer. We will strive to make available quality merchandise and hunts, but without warranty or guarantee.

WILD SHEEP FOUNDATION®, WSF, FOUNDATION FOR NORTH AMERICAN WILD SHEEP®, <1 CLUB®, <1ICLUB, CHADWICK RAM SOCIETY®, MARCO POLO SOCIETY®, MOUNTAIN ROYALTY SOCIETY, LEGENDS SOCIETY, PINNACLE SOCIETY, TODAY, TOMORROW, & FOREVER FOR WILD SHEEP, FNAWS, CHRIS KLINEBURGER MOUNTAIN HUNTER HALL OF FAME AWARD®, PUTTING AND KEEPING WILD SHEEP ON THE MOUNTAIN®, SHEEP SHOW®, SHEEP WEEK®, SHEEP FEVER®, TAKE ONE PUT ONE BACK®, THE SHEEP SHOW®, RAM LAY-AWAY PROGRAM®, WILD SHEEP® MAGAZINE, COME FOR THE SHEEP, STAY FOR THE PARTY®, FULL CURL®, WIHI®, WOMEN HUNT®, WH®, WOMEN IN HUNTING®, WOMEN IN HUNTING INITIATIVE® and their respective logos are Registered trademarks and cannot be used, commissioned, or otherwise displayed without permission of the Wild Sheep Foundation.

GRAND SLAM® is a registered trademark of Grand Slam Club/Ovis. Used with permission.

Wild Sheep® (USPS# 009-460) is published quarterly by Wild Sheep Foundation, 412 Pronghorn Trail, Bozeman, MT 59718

Periodical Postage Rate is paid at Bozeman, MT 59718 and additional mailing offices.

Subscription Price $28.00 All membership dues include $28/ year for a subscription to Wild Sheep® Magazine Postmaster: Send address correction to: Wild Sheep Foundation, 412 Pronghorn Trail, Bozeman, MT 59718

15

160

400

997

MISSION STATEMENT

Vision Our desired future state

To be the best managed, most respected, influential, and relevant conservation organization benefitting wild sheep worldwide.

Purpose Why we exist

To Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain.

Mission What we do

We enhance wild sheep populations and their habitats, promote scientific wildlife management, and educate the public and youth on sustainable use and the conservation benefits of hunting while promoting the interests of the hunter.

Values The principles that guide us

Honesty

Teamwork Accountability Integrity Positive Attitude Stewardship Respect for Others Respect for Wildlife Loyalty Hunting Ethics

Photo: Andrew Harvey

The Briksdal MTN SF. A Pure Mountain Hunting Boot.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

by Gray N. Thornton President & CEO

As we move into fall and the full court press of 2026 convention preparation, many additional new fiscal year actions capture our attention. During July, we solicit Grant-In-Aid applications through our Chapter and Affiliate partners, and during August, our conservation staff and Professional Resource Advisory Board (PRAB) review those requests, evaluate, then in late August present their joint recommendations to the WSF Board of Directors for funding.

For our Fiscal Year 2025-26 which started July 1st, the boardapproved budget for these staff and PRAB-reviewed GIA requests is $2 million. That $2 million makes

up about 50% of the $4.144 million in Mission Program Funding (MPF) approved in our FY 25-26 budget. The other $2.144 million is made up of GIA for research, public outreach programs, industry support, legislative and governmental affairs advocacy, and education programs. Of course, this MPF does not include the permit proceeds dollars we will direct to agency partners from 2026 convention conservation permit sales.

During July we received an incredible $4.4 million in GIA requests. That represents a great deal of projects to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®.” I look forward to the staff and PRAB

recommendations for GIA funding, a tall order to pair down $4.4M in requests to $2M in funding, then executing on those projects.

WSF Chair Charlie Kelly developed a mantra for his term prior to taking office May 1st of “Moving the Needle for Wild Sheep” and includes a clever speedometer logo crafted by our logo czar Justin Phillips. I view this mantra as a litmus test for not only choosing the GIA projects to fund, but for all of our organizational objectives for this next fiscal year.

WSF directs more funds to mission programs than any other like foundation or commercial entity, operating in our space—last year more than $11.5 million and

Photo: Oregon Department Of Wildlife

the prior year $11.1 million—$22.6 million in just the past two years alone! An impressive number indeed, and one our members can be justifiably proud of. But dollars alone do not “move the needle”— effective, bold, and sometimes, even controversial actions, do. Rest assured that your WSF staff and board are using this litmus test to guide our efforts during the year. August and September is also the goal setting period for our staff and the board. Team goals for staff have been established, individual and programs goals are being drafted, and each board member is also challenged to set goals for the volunteer committees on which they serve. All are using Charlie’s mantra to guide their vision. Will this objective, goal, priority, or focus “move the needle” for wild sheep, WSF, our Mission, or our Purpose? If yes, they will stand, if not, they will be refreshed so they do.

Broad-based Team and Organizational goals that must pass the “move the needle” test include:

• 2026 Sheep Show® Revenue

• 2026 Sheep Show® FUN

• Mission Program Funding and Project objectives

• “Tell Our Story” plans for Mission Program Funding projects and WSF actions and activities

• Budget adherence to operational revenue and expenses, as well as MPF funding

• Membership growth and retention

• Fundraising goals to fund GIA and other operations budget programs

• Fundraising goals to “endow” WSF

• Strategic Partnerships & Novel Fundraising

One of the above objectives, fundraising to endow WSF, falls under the university model I addressed in the summer issue of Wild Sheep®. WSF’s appetite to give money away and fund our mission and purpose has grown exponentially…which of course is why we exist, it is who we are, it is what we do. However, raising the funds to do so is getting harder and harder with each year. Growing the Wild Sheep Legacy Foundation Endowment Fund to $25 million, $35 million, or even $50 million is an organizational goal to which I am personally laser focused. It was a goal and needed outcome I stated to foundation leadership more than 17 years ago when joining WSF as CEO, and is one I want to achieve before I depart.

As I noted in the prior issue, a 4% sustainable distribution of a $25 million endowment is $1 million a year…forever. Mailbox money to fund GIA that “moves the needle”, again, forever.

WSF recently entered into a partnership with Gordon Nelson, a planned giving and tax

consultant/advisor and expert to assist WSF achieve this longterm goal. Gordon will be working directly with WSF Development Manager Paige Culver and me, as well as our Development and Endowment Development Committees, to craft and execute programs to help our members with their planned and charitable giving objectives, while ensuring that WSF, and the exceptional work we do, are in those plans. We will be launching in September a regular newsletter, and other communications mediums to assist, educate, and inform our membership on tools and opportunities that benefit them, and help fund the WSF Mission.

I am very excited for this next year and working to achieve new records that “move the needle” for wild sheep and WSF!

Enjoy this fall issue of Wild Sheep®! WS

Gray N. Thornton

President & CEO, Wild Sheep Foundation

Editor-in-Chief, Wild Sheep® magazine

Marco Polo Society® Member

Summit Life Member

Chadwick Ram Society® Member

Legacy Society Member

Summit Life Member

Pair with MYSTERY RANCH GAMEBAG

CHAIR’S CORNER

by Charlie Kelly Chair

LIFE IS A JOURNEY

Fate, karma, kismet, destiny— call it what you will. As we grow older, our journey through life reveals the hidden forces that shape our experiences. Recently, I stumbled upon my old keepsake box, tucked away in a dresser I rarely open. The sight of it caused me to pause, prompting reflections on the path my life has taken, especially now in my new role as WSF Chair.

Inside this box lies a precious assortment of memories. There’s my first dog’s collar and tags from Alex, a Saint Bernard puppy I brought home during my college years. He joined my wife, Linda, and me after we married, and the thought of his passing still brings tears to my eyes. I also have three silver-dollars, vintage coins from 1884, 1896, and 1921—gifts from my great-grandfather given to me at Christmas dinners during my childhood. I can’t wait to pass them on to my grandson when he’s a bit older. Among the treasures are the baby teeth of our three children, carefully saved after many nights of playing Tooth Fairy. I’ve kept my dad’s two favorite jackknifes, his wedding ring, and both of my parents’ driver’s licenses, somehow I can’t bring myself to discarding them. Also, safely inside is my first wedding ring, worn dangerously thin, that has been replaced more times than I can count.

I crafted the keepsake box in seventh grade from an old cigar box, lining it with green felt during our brief time in New Jersey from

1968 to 1969 after my father’s job transfer. This was the only period I lived outside of Arizona, and I remember feeling immensely homesick for the desert and its vibrant wildlife. At the time, we subscribed to Arizona Highways magazine, and I devoured each issue, dreaming of someday returning to the Sonoran Desert I called home.

While the contents of the box are irreplaceable, what astonishes me now is what I decoupaged on

the lid—an image of desert bighorn sheep torn from those very magazine pages. Something about that magnificent creature piqued my teenage curiosity, and little did I know how deeply intertwined my life would become with their conservation.

It was thirty years later in 1998, when I embarked on my first sheep hunt in northern Arizona. That experience ignited my passion for sheep hunting and wild sheep conservation. I began by helping fundraise for the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, and over

the years, I’ve worked on countless waterhole projects. After several terms as ADBSS Treasurer and serving as President in 2019, I gained the experience necessary to consider serving on the Wild Sheep Foundation board. Now, five years after being elected as a WSF board member, it is my honor to step into the role of Chair for this outstanding organization.

Every one of our 11,000 WSF members has a unique story about their journey through life and their passion for sheep and mountain hunting. What unites us is our shared desire to recount our hunting experiences, learn from one another, and support the conservation of these iconic species. Together, we aim to ensure that future generations can enjoy the transformative adventures we have cherished.

I view my opportunity to contribute to wild sheep conservation as both an honor and a responsibility, shaped by the many sheep hunting experiences I’ve shared with my family and friends throughout the years. I encourage all our members to engage more actively in sheep conservation as time allows and to generously support our organization that funds the vital projects needed to sustain and grow this cherished resource!

This journey has been remarkable, and I look forward to what lies ahead for all of us who cherish the wild and the sheep that roam it.WS

Charlie Kelly

BIOLOGIST’S CORNER -

by Aibat Muzbay Kazakhstan, Co-Chair, WHISPA-CA

Askar Davletbakov Chair, WHISPA-CA

Kurt Alt Conservation Director, International Programs, WSF

STRONGER TOGETHER

Regional experts launch WISPA-CA to unite science, communities, and countries for wild sheep conservation.

The conservation of wild sheep in Central Asia has long faced challenges due to fragmented efforts, insufficient local involvement, and a lack of coordination among countries. The region is home to globally significant species—including Kazakhstan, Tien Shan, Altai, Marco Polo, Severtzov’s argali sheep, and Bukhara urial—with shared common ecosystems across country borders, yet local specialists lack well-established collaboration between jurisdictions. Recognizing this gap, the establishment of a regional, expert-driven platform empowering local experts was proposed, leading to the creation of the WISPA-CA (Wild Sheep Partnership for Central Asia) Working Group.

Inaugural Meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan

The group’s official launch took place during a foundational meeting in July 2025 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. With financial support from the Wild Sheep Foundation and the Trust for

Mutual Understanding, the meeting brought together 13 participants from five Central Asian countries: Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Delegates included researchers, conservationists, and representatives of leading institutions from across the region. This gathering allowed national experts to present updates on wild sheep populations, management practices, and conservation priorities in their respective countries. Presentations highlighted key challenges such as inconsistent monitoring approaches, limited cross-border coordination, and gaps in knowledge regarding population dynamics and migration routes. Participants emphasized the urgent need for harmonized methodologies and regional collaboration to ensure sustainable conservation.

Key Milestones of the Meeting

A major outcome of the Almaty meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by nine leading institutions

and organizations across Central Asia. These included national research institutes and several non-governmental organizations from all five countries. The MoU formalized commitments to cooperation, marking the establishment of a transboundary expert platform dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of mountain wild sheep.

Leadership was also established for WISPA-CA, with Askar Davletbakov of Kyrgyzstan’s NGO Argali Foundation elected as Chair, and Aibat Muzbay of Kazakhstan’s NGO ARLAN Foundation elected as Co-Chair. Their election for a two-year term provided WISPA-CA with an initial governance structure to guide its work and represent the group in regional and international dialogues.

Planning Joint Monitoring and Research

A significant decision taken during the meeting was to initiate the first coordinated transboundary monitoring mission in December 2025. This joint field expedition

BIOLOGIST’S CORNER -

in Kyrgyzstan will involve experts from all member countries. The mission is designed to assess wild sheep populations during winter aggregation, making it easier to count individuals, evaluate distribution patterns, and document migration routes. Standardized data collection protocols will be tested to ensure comparability across future monitoring efforts. The field teams will also engage local hunting communities and protected area staff to gather additional insights. The outcomes of this mission are expected to inform long-term conservation strategies and set

the foundation for continuous regional monitoring.

Future Directions and Funding

As a follow-up, WISPACA prepared and submitted a comprehensive project proposal to the Wild Sheep Foundation for the 2025–2026 Grant-in-Aid (GIA) cycle. The proposal emphasizes cross-border population assessments, disease and genetic studies, and the creation of a shared digital platform to support data and knowledge exchange.

Conclusion

The inaugural Almaty meeting of WISPA-CA successfully laid the groundwork for a new era of regionally led, science-based conservation of mountain wild sheep. By empowering local experts, formalizing cooperation, and planning tangible joint initiatives, the group demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding these iconic species for future generations.WS

WSF’s Legacy Society recognizes individuals, families and foundations making testamentary bequests or contributions of major gifts, gift annuities or other charitable-giving instruments. Since inception of the Ensuring the Future of Wild Sheep (ETFOWS) campaign, 49 Legacy Society members have been recognized through WSF’s Legacy Society for contributions or pledges of future gifts.

Bequests made through the New Beginnings Campaign* or other bequests may be recognized through the Legacy Society by contacting WSF. For more information on the Legacy Society or Estate Planning resources available through WSF, please contact Paige Culver at 406.404.8758 or PCulver@WildSheepFoundation.org.

Anonymous Anonymous

Lee & Penny Anderson

Jack, Jr. & Cindy Atcheson

Derek W.O. Berry

Mike Borel

Cabela’s Outdoor Fund

David W. Campbell

Rick & Heather Carosone

Dr. Robert W. & Cynthia Cassell

David & Sona Combs

Monty & Becky Davis

Howard & Mary Deters

Doug & Patty Dreeszen

Buddy DuVall

Tom Grimes

Eric & Sue Hansen

Robert & Arlene Hanson

Dr. Paul F. & Kathy J. Havey

Zach & Amber Higgins

John R. & Mary Ann Justus

Kevin & Eileen Kehoe Blair A. &

Victoria M. Kenewell

Robert M. Martin, Jr.

Robert and Lisa Mays

Roger McCosker

Kyle & Joanne Meintzer

Chuck Middleton

David Mode

John & Leslie Pearson

Brad R. Plaga

Robert L. & J.P. Puette

Kevin & Janine Rinke

Lanny Rominger

Louis & Pauline Rupp

SCI Foundation

- Hunter Legacy Fund (HLF-100)

Roger Segebrecht

Kasie and Jason Sheridan

Tim & Roxane Shinabarger

Steve & Sue Skold

Curt & Marcia Thompson

Gray & Renée Thornton

Steve & Carrie Thompson

Jim Travis

Tim & Ruth Van Der Weide

The Estate of Robert B. Johnson

Zachary Walton

Wayne W. Webber

The William H. Donner Foundation, Inc

*New Beginnings Campaign was the FNAWS Capital Endowment Campaign conducted 1998-2003.

VX-6HD THE ULTIMATE HUNTING SCOPE

BIOLOGIST’S CORNER - NORTH AMERICA

by Kevin Hurley WSF Vice-President of Conservation - Emeritus

ANOTHER TRIP AROUND THE SUN

In the wildlife world, patterns and cycles are well-documented and often predictable. Some, you might set your watch to. Sea turtles dragging themselves up a far-off beach, to lay and bury their eggs. Sandhill cranes making their way toward northern latitudes, singing and dancing along their route. Bull elk bugling to the world, emphatically announcing they’re the toughest and most desirable stud in the woods.

In the wildlife conservation world, there are patterns and cycles as well. For the Wild Sheep Foundation, every August, our Conservation Staff (CS) and our Professional Resource Advisory Board (PRAB) repeat our traditional Grant-InAid (GIA) process, reviewing and evaluating wild sheep conservation project funding requests, from around the globe.

Guided by our Conservation Vision 2025, and with WSF Board Chair Charlie Kelly’s “Moving the Needle for Wild Sheep” mantra, CS and PRAB independently review as many as three dozen GIA funding requests, identify the highest priority projects against the conservation dollars that WSF members and donors help make available, then deliver well-reasoned GIA funding recommendations to WSF President & CEO Gray N.

Thornton for his review, and then, on to the WSF Board of Directors for their action.

By late August each year, the dedicated volunteer WSF Board makes final decisions on which wild sheep conservation projects receive WSF funding, grant recipients are notified by September 1st, and the approved slate of funded projects moves toward implementation. The pattern continues, the cycle spins.

For WSF’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026, 32 wild sheep conservation project requests filled the pipeline, largely submitted by, through, or with our network of WSF Chapters and Affiliates (C&As). Nearly $4.5 million in GIA support was requested, against $2 million made available by WSF’s Board; obviously, some tough decisions need to be made, when “demand” exceeds “supply”…simple, wild sheep economics.

As I write this column in midAugust, we’re still two weeks away from board “decision time”. Once this Fall 2025 issue of Wild Sheep® magazine is in your hands, the wild sheep conservation GIA cycle will be well into implementation. GPS radio-collars will be ordered and programmed, helicopter vendors and net-gun capture crews will be scheduled, laboratory supplies and guzzler tanks will be

ordered, pathogen samples will be analyzed, diagnostic protocols will be enacted, volunteers will be secured and scheduled to assist wild sheep managers with a variety of tasks, and diverse wild sheep conservation actions will occur, on far-flung mountain ranges and in labs around the globe.

It is so motivating and so humbling to engage in wild sheep conservation, for not only WSF staff and our partner agency/ ministry/tribal/First Nation wild sheep managers and wildlife veterinarians, but also for the diverse and passionate cadre of men and women, young and old, that comprise the ~11,000 members of the Wild Sheep Foundation. It is the combined energy of all that keeps this wild sheep conservation world spinning, and helps drive the critical, annual cycles and patterns so important to the critters and habitats we all cherish.

Enjoy a safe and productive fall! Take a kid along, share stories, photos and harvest with your friends and family. Connect with someone you don’t yet know, especially if they’ve shown interest in wild sheep conservation. Thanks for all you do! Keep doin’ it! WS

Photo: Lynn Mortenson

SHEEP STATS

2025 RANGE-WIDE STATUS OF BIGHORN AND THINHORN SHEEP IN NORTH AMERICA

In this installment of Sheep Stats, we’ll be covering northern areas—Alaska, Yukon Territory, and British Columbia. This geographic area has both thinhorn and some bighorn populations. To accommodate magazine page counts some charts and graphs are not shown. Click on the QR code to download the complete 2025 Range-wide Status of Bighorn and Thinhorn Sheep in North America PDF.

ALASKA

Dall’s Sheep Populations

Dall’s sheep populations inhabit eight mountain ranges in Alaska. Populations are found through a mosaic of state, federal and Native lands. Throughout most of the state, managers have established minimum count areas for sheep. These areas are necessarily small, relative to the geographic scale of an entire game management unit. Data are not corrected for snow cover, shadows, sun angle, observer experience, or any one of several things that can affect how many animals are observed. Therefore, these minimum count surveys serve as a relative population index and are in no way a measure of absolute abundance. However, throughout the state sheep numbers have declined 40-70% from the most recent highs ca 2010. These declines are reported on both hunted and unhunted (e.g. National Park Service) lands, which strongly suggests that extreme weather events and not current harvest strategies are contributing to the current poor population performance.

Alaskan Dall’s sheep population declines are at least partially explained by a combination of

poor lamb production and high adult mortality in several years between 2012 and present. Record winter snowfall in 2011-2012 and near-record levels again in 20122013 were accompanied by record low population pregnancy rates in those and following years. Indeed, it is hypothesized that in many cases, extreme winter conditions result in a carryover effect where low pregnancy rates and poor body condition persist for at least an additional year after stressful conditions are experienced. These effects were not limited to that twoyear time frame: between 2009-2022, most female Dall’s sheep handled and sampled in the Chugach and Talkeetna mountain ranges evidenced extremely poor body condition (1 -1.5 on a 0-6 scale).

Population pregnancy rates varied greatly from lows of 18, 21, and 44% in some years up to as high as 96% in others (ADFG, 2022). For reference, most healthy ungulate populations see consistent pregnancy rates of 85-100% in adult females.

Poor lamb production during 2012-2014 was also exacerbated by poor adult survival between 2019-2022. Although mortality curves for Dall’s sheep have been published by multiple researchers, in general mortality is low for sheep

ages 2-8. However, overwinter mortality rates were much greater than expected during those three winters. In the winter of 2019-2020, 34% of all radio collared sheep in the Talkeetna mountains died from a variety of causes ranging from avalanches, predation, disease, falls, and malnutrition. During the winter of 2020-2021, and 20212022, 19% and 29%, respectively, of all monitored adult sheep, in the Talkeetnas also died from the same causes (ADFG, 2022). In comparison, data from radio collared sheep in the Chugach, Wrangell, and Talkeetna mountains between 2008-2019 show that in most winters, overall adult survival rates are between 88-92%. This is similar to what Arthur reported in the Brooks Range (77-88%) (Arthur, 2013) and Alaska Range (85%) (Arthur 2003).

Poor lamb production and overwinter survival was not limited to populations south of the Alaska Range, as declines of similar magnitude were noted in aerial surveys in other game management units and on National Park Service lands; Rattenbury et al. (2018) reported that lamb production was negatively related to the annual timing of the end of the continuous snow season and was near zero in arctic areas in 2013. The 2013 event

was also associated with ~40–70% declines in overall sheep numbers in arctic areas, indicating adult survival was also impacted.

That said, population cycles have occurred before. In Murie’s book, The Wolves of Mount Mckinley (1944), they speak of robust sheep numbers in the park until a drastic die-off associated with heavy snowfalls in the late 1920’s and into the early 1930’s. A more contemporary example is observed in GMU 20A. Dall’s sheep populations and harvest in this GMU was high until a weatherrelated population decline during the winter of 1992-1993. Managers chose to keep this hunt structured as general harvest open to both residents and nonresidents. Although it took 15-20 years to rebuild, Dall’s sheep populations and harvest returned to pre-decline levels, peaking in 2016 until the recent population decline.

There is concern that with a warming environment in Alaska we may be witnessing a paradigm shift in Dall’s sheep densities. The Arctic is warming at twice the rate of lower latitudes, temperatures are predicted to rise by 3–6°C by 2080 (5-11°F) (Callaghan et al. 2004, Olsen et al. 2011). Recently published literature suggests that adult sheep survival is negatively associated with increased wintertime freeze-thaw events (Van de Kirk et al. 2020). Furthermore, there is evidence for increased shrubification in the alpine with warm temperatures which would decrease the amount of suitable habitat for Dall’s sheep (Dial et al. 2016) leading to decreased carrying capacity in many ranges.

SHEEP STATS

Licenses and Harvest

Throughout the state, Dall’s sheep are managed through a combination of general season, draw and registration hunts. For the most part the state operates under a general season, full curl harvest strategy, except for a small number of registration and limited entry drawing permit hunts that operate under alternate strategies such as any ram hunts. Harvest tickets for Dall’s sheep were first issued in 1962. Between 1962 and 2024, the average number of Dall’s sheep harvested each season has been 916 with a range of 340-1454. Harvest was between 700-800 for much of the 2000s but has declined substantially beginning in 2020, with 627 rams taken. Initial declines in 2020 were followed by further decreases in statewide harvest, with 487 rams taken in 2021, 424 in 2022 and 340 reported for the 2023 season (Figure 3). There was a slight uptick in harvest for the 2024 season with 369 rams

being reported taken to date. Comparing current harvest to the long-term average is confounded because: 1) early harvest happened before Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act , thus more area was open to hunting;

2) some areas have gone from general harvest to draw hunt, thus limiting opportunity, and; 3) hunter participation has decreased. Between 1980 – 2000 there was an average of 3,097 sheep hunters per year, and between 2001-2024 there was an average of 2,413 hunters per year (Figure 4). For 2024 we have a preliminary report of 1565 Dall’s sheep hunters. Harvest success rates were largely stable for both resident and non-resident hunters until the recent population declines (Figure 5).

Disease and Herd Health

The state has active and/or upcoming research projects in the Brooks and Alaska Ranges, current research ongoing in the Chugach, and recently completed projects in the Talkeetna and Wrangell mountains. Traditional palpations are used to estimate body condition on most captured sheep. Blood, nasal and tonsil swab samples are

Figure 3. Dall’s sheep harvest in Alaska, 1962-2024

Figure 4. Total number of sheep hunters in Alaska, 1977-2024.

Urial Jan 2021

JEFF DEMASKE

The Conklin Foundation board is pleased to announce the 2026 winner of the Conklin Award. Jeff Demaske is the 24th winner of the “Tough Man” award, named after the late Dr. James Conklin, a Weatherby Award winner, who liked to pursue difficult animals throughout the world.

Jeff began hunting in Wisconsin as a young boy. He went to the University of Illinois on a football scholarship. After college he moved to Colorado where he met his wife, Jann. They started construction, excavating, and property management companies and together raised two daughters, Madeline and Elizabeth.

Jeff has shot 13 FNAWS/Grand Slams, as well as most of the mountain animals of the world. He was nominated amongst these other great hunters: Barbara Sackman, Lee Anderson, Jan Dams, Wayne Farnsworth, and Gervasio Negrete.

The Conklin Foundation would like to gratefully acknowledge and thank the following businesses and individuals for their generous donations. The support of donors makes it possible for the Conklin Foundation to continue its efforts to educate youth about hunting.

• Go with Bo

• Canada North Outfitting

• Brilliant Stars

• Mexico Hunting Specialists

• Giuseppe Carrizosa

• Spanish Mountain Hunts

• Fernando Saiz

• Vidale Safaris

• Aland & Barbara Sackman

• Baranoff Jewelers

• Lake Albert Safaris LTD.

• Herederos Hunting

• Iberian Hunters

• Kevin Downer Sporting

Partner of Conklin Foundation

SHEEP STATS

collected by an ADF&G wildlife veterinarian or experienced personnel. Samples are handled, stored, and analyzed at laboratories in accordance with the WAFWA Wildlife Health Committee 2014 Bighorn Sheep Herd Health Monitoring Recommendations. These samples are used to assess Alaska/thin-horn sheep pathogens and parasites of concern, and health biomarkers as determined

BRITISH COLUMBIA

British Columbia has 4 native subspecies of wild sheep (Thinhorns: Dall’s and Stone’s; Bighorns: Rocky Mountain and California).

Harvest management for all species includes a combination of over-the-counter licenses for General Open Season (GOS) areas and Limited Entry Hunting Zone (LEH) draw-only hunting areas. The province currently only issues a general, non-specific sheep hunting species tag, so we are unable to report on specific

by the Alaska Wildlife Health and Disease Surveillance Program veterinarian. A blood sample from any ewes handled in late winter is also collected to quantify pregnancy rates via pregnancy specific protein B analysis from serum and obtain individual DNA. Feces are collected and submitted for parasite analysis.

Surveillance for bacterial respiratory pathogens from hunter

numbers of licenses sold by subspecies (Figures 1 and 2).

Rocky Mountain & California Bighorn Sheep

British Columbia (B.C.) uses a combination of ram and ewe GOS and LEH to manage hunter harvest in both California and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep populations and has recently made changes to both GOS and LEH opportunities to mitigate population declines and address localized harvest pressure.

B.C. is reporting ongoing declines in California BHS populations

identified bacterial DNA of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MOVI) along with other mycoplasma species with close genetic relationships to MOVI in healthy wildlife populations in Alaska (Lieske 2022). Of the areas surveyed, on multiple tests at multiple labs we have had positive detections of MOVI presence in populations of Dall’s sheep in the eastern Alaska Range, Talkeetna Mountains, and Wrangell Mountains, as well as Fortymile and Nelchina caribou, and we have had MOVI detections in other areas and species on at least one test. Importantly, there may not be cross immunity for different genetic types so the presence of MOVI in wildlife doesn’t mean they are ‘safe’ or immune to ‘new’ types. Currently, ADF&G does not believe that wildlife populations are in danger due to MOVI genetic types currently in Alaska’s wildlife. WS

— Brad Wendling, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

over the past five years because of disease and health related losses. Affected populations include California bighorn sheep in Regions 3 (Thompson), 5 (Cariboo) & 8 (Okanagan). Test & Remove projects are ongoing in the Fraser River metapopulation, with treated herds responding well despite their very low numbers. The 2024 provincial population estimate across all regions for California BHS was <2,000 sheep.

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (RMBS) remain at relatively low numbers in the Thompson region (~400). Since their introduction

Figure 5. Dall’s sheep hunter success rates in Alaska, 1977-2024.

Fraser Cayon (1970) areas, their distribution has expanded. Recent genetic analyses completed in 2024 are detecting RMBS genetic admixing in populations as far east as Kamloops Lake and north to Big Bar Creek (traditionally these were considered California populations). Region 4 (Kootenays) populations continue to show mixed outcomes with several populations remaining below management objectives.

Region 4 GOS was shifted to LEH in 2022 to address harvest pressure related concerns and effects on populations.

The continent’s most northern population of RMBS, is a crossjurisdictional population located in Region 7B (Peace) and Alberta. Inventory information has confirmed that this population has steadily declined since 2015.

The B.C. portion of this metapopulation has also declined to <75 sheep, because of severe weather events and predation effects; hunter harvest is currently managed through the general open season. Harvest rate since 2022 is approximately 10%, significantly higher than the maximum rate of 3%. The region is currently considering changes to hunting regulations to reduce the harvest rate to more sustainable levels, consistent with provincial harvest management procedures.

The total provincial RMBS population estimate is ~2,400 individuals.

Dall’s Sheep

Recent genetic information has confirmed that the range of Dall’s sheep in B.C. is larger than previously thought. B.C. provided revisions to the previous estimates

Figure 1. Harvest of wild sheep in British Columbia based on Compulsory Inspection data.

Figure 2. Numbers of wild sheep licenses sold annually in British Columbia, by hunter residency type.

Figure 3. Dall’s sheep LEH permits, 2008-2023.

SHEEP STATS

provided to the WAFWA WSI data records to reflect this new information (i.e., we reassigned sheep previously included as Stone’s into the Dall’s category).

The 2024 total estimated number of Dall’s sheep in B.C. is ~700, with the new geographic distribution being identified as all populations west of the centerline of the Teslin and Taku watersheds. Approximately 60% of all Dall’s sheep range in B.C. has been inventoried over the past decade so the population estimate is somewhat unverified.

Hunts for Dall’s sheep in B.C. are predominantly managed through Limited Entry Hunting draw hunts (for white sheep), however, some of

YUKON

Yukon Thinhorn Sheep

The Yukon has two native subspecies of thinhorn sheep: Dall’s and Stone’s sheep. A hybrid of Dall’s and Stone’s sheep, called Fannin’s sheep is present from the mid-southern border north towards Faro. There are approximately 22,500 thinhorn

the newly defined areas immediately west of Teslin Lake that contain Fannin or dark-phased Dall’s phenotypes, continue to be managed through GOS (these populations are still considered Stone’s sheep by organizations such as Boone & Crockett) (Figure 3, page 27).

Stone’s Sheep

Genetic information has confirmed that the distribution of Stone’s sheep in B.C. is smaller than previously thought. B.C. has provided revisions to past estimates provided to the WAFWA WSI data records to reflect this new information (i.e., we reassigned sheep previously included as

sheep within the territory. The distribution of Stone’s sheep is limited in number, potentially occurring just north of the midsouthern border of the Yukon. Most Dall’s sheep are located in the southern and southwest region of the Yukon, particularly in the Kluane and Ruby mountain ranges. However, sheep can be found in

Stone’s into the Dall’s category) and the new geographic distribution is identified as all thinhorn sheep populations east of the centerline of the Teslin and Taku watersheds. The estimated number of Stone’s sheep in B.C. is ~10,000, however only about 35% of known Stone’s sheep range has had population level inventory work completed in it over the past decade; surveys conducted in the past five years indicate an estimated 13-50% fewer sheep than pre-2010.

Hunting for Stone’s sheep provides the bulk of the sheep hunting opportunity in B.C. with most areas managed through GOS; some smaller specific hunt areas overlapping provincial park areas are managed through LEH and there is one archery-only GOS hunting area. There are slightly fewer LEHs being issued for Stone’s sheep in the past years (Figure 4) in response to inventory data that suggests a decline in populations. There is inventory occurring in February-March of 2025 focused on determining population status and understanding trends in several populations (Figure 4). WS

— Bill Jex, British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Fish and Wildlife Branch

all mountain ranges, including in the northernmost, Richardson mountain range.

Harvest Trends

Licensed hunting is closed for all rams that are less than full curl and under eight years of age. Annually, licensed hunters can harvest one legal ram from an open Game

Figure 4. Stone’s sheep LEH permits, 2008-2023.

Management Subzone (GMS). In some Game Management Zones (GMZ), sheep are managed at the level of the Sheep Management Unit (SMU), which reflects the mountain ranges most frequently occupied by a sub-population of sheep, with little emigration or immigration from other adjacent sub-populations. In regions where human access and hunting pressure is likely to be higher, hunters can apply for a permit to hunt thinhorn sheep in a permit hunt authorized area. The accessibility of an area and harvest rates are considered when determining the number of permits allocated to an area. For example, several GMSs and SMUs closer to Whitehorse require a hunting permit to legally harvest a ram, as these areas often have good accessibility and higher numbers of active hunters. Compliance with hunting regulations is monitored by requiring hunters to submit ram skulls for standardized measurements. A unique, numbered plug is placed in one horn and horn material is collected for preservation of genetic information. Ewes and lambs are protected from hunting.

The number of thinhorn sheep seals obtained by licensed hunters, including resident and non-resident hunters, increased from around 855 seals in 1995 to a peak of 1839 seals in 2019 (Figure 2, Department of Environment Yukon, 2024). Since 2016, the purchase of seals has stabilized (resident hunters) or decreased (non-resident hunters). On average, 252 thinhorn sheep are harvested annually with 32% harvested by resident hunters and

68% harvested by non-resident hunters (Milligan, 2018). On average, 11% of resident hunters and 55% of non-resident hunters are successful in harvesting a thinhorn sheep (Milligan, 2018).

The average age of rams harvested fluctuates due to differences in horn growth rates of ram cohorts. Some cohorts reach full curl earlier than others depending on the environmental conditions

Figure 2: The number of annual thinhorn sheep seals sold to licensed hunters by hunter type.

Figure 3: The average age of rams harvested by year and by hunter type.

SHEEP STATS

encountered in their early years of life (Hik and Carey, 2000) (Figure 3, Department of Environment Yukon, 2024).

Harvest rate limitations are recommended when subpopulations are inventoried relatively frequently (~5-10 years) by the minimum count method. In frequently surveyed herds, a harvest rate of no more than 4% of the non-lamb population is recommended (Environment Yukon, 2019).

Management

Management of thinhorn sheep within the territory is guided by the published document—Sciencebased guidelines for management of thinhorn sheep in Yukon (Environment Yukon, 2019). When established, sheep sub-populations are managed at the level of the SMU and otherwise, at the level of the GMS, which represents a discrete mountain block. Management primarily consists of a combination of monitoring

subpopulations by minimum count surveys and harvest management.

Thinhorn sheep populations in the southern and southwest regions of the Yukon have historically been surveyed more frequently than in other regions. However, obtaining population trend information is challenging, even in frequently surveyed regions. Prior to the recent development of Sheep Management Units (2015), survey extent was not consistent and thus it is not possible to directly compare survey

Figure 4: Results of the 2023 survey in south-west Yukon, Kluane region.

counts. It is not possible to obtain population trend information in infrequently surveyed areas such as in the central and northern regions of the Yukon. However, harvest pressure is lower in these areas and most harvest is from non-resident hunters. Population surveys are prioritized based on management concerns and the need to update population information. Thinhorn sheep herds that are easily accessed by roads or trails are likely to experience higher disturbance from human activities and greater harvest pressure. Surveys are used to estimate total minimum counts, and not sub-population estimates or density. Productivity is estimated by obtaining a sex and age class ratios. From 2014 and 2016 large-scale surveys of GMZ 7 (Southern Lakes region in proximity to Whitehorse and Carcross) and GMZ 5 (Kluane and Ruby Range region in proximity to Haines Junction) were completed. These two management zones experience relatively high harvest pressure and contain some of the highest densities of sheep in the Yukon. Across all of GMZ 7, 3,112 thinhorn sheep were observed, 2,490 of which were non-lambs. Compared to surveys conducted in the 1970s, a 22% increase in the nonlamb population was noted and the population was deemed to be stable (Hegel and Russell, 2018). Across all of GMZ 5, 3,766 thinhorn sheep were observed, 3,011 of which were non-lambs. The only previous comprehensive survey of GMZ 5 occurred in 1974. In 2015, sheep numbers in GMZ 5 were found to be similar to those observed in 1974 and the population was considered stable.

In 2022 and 2023, several SMUs in GMZ 5 were surveyed due to concerns that sheep populations may have been adversely affected by consecutive years of late spring melt and higher than average snow accumulation. Results indicated that thinhorn sheep herds in these SMUs had experienced declines ranging from 16% to 63% (Figure 3). Ruby Range SMU holds the largest population of thinhorn sheep in GMZ 5 (n = 675 (non-lamb), yr = 2023) and experienced the smallest decline at 24% in 2022 and 16% in 2023. The smaller SMUs, ranging

Understanding how thinhorn sheep populations may be vulnerable to changing conditions will help wildlife managers to continue to support self-sustaining populations.

from 30 to 192 thinhorn sheep, saw larger declines at above 30%.

Historically, thinhorn sheep populations within the Yukon have experienced comparable levels of decline (for example, in the early 1990s). Due to the timing of surveys, detection of past declines relies on a combination of observational reporting from First Nations community members,

resident hunters and outfitters, and biologists in addition to surveys. Reasons underlying the current decline are likely similar to those of previous declines; challenging environmental conditions, such as deep snowpack, ice, and late springs that impact food sources and adult and lamb survival rates over consecutive years.

The significant population declines in the southwest Yukon are concerning given the effects of climate change may increase the frequency and severity of challenges that sheep populations may face. Inclement weather events may occur more frequently or less frequently or at unseasonable times. Understanding how thinhorn sheep populations may be vulnerable to changing conditions will help wildlife managers to continue to support self-sustaining populations.

An aerial thinhorn sheep survey of four SMU in the Southern Lakes area was completed in July 2024. This survey was flown to estimate abundance, distribution, lamb recruitment and adult sex ratios in the Arkell, Pilot Mountain, Alligator Lake, and Sifton SMUs. The non-lamb counts for Arkell (-22%), Alligator Lake (-36%), and Sifton (-12%) decreased from the previous counts completed in 2015/2016. The Pilot Mountain count (+15%) has increased. Declines were anticipated, given that similar and more pronounced declines were detected in surveys conducted in the southwest and Kluane regions in 2022 and 2023. WS

— Meghan Larivee, Fish and Wildlife Branch, Department of Environment, Government of Yukon

YOU CAN HELP WSF PUT AND KEEP WILD SHEEP ON THE MOUNTAIN BY JOINING THE CHADWICK RAM SOCIETY!

In 2013 the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) launched a legacy campaign, Ensuring the Future of Wild Sheep, that includes tax and estate planning opportunities, counsel and advice, major gifts, and giving societies to raise the funds required to ensure the future of the wild sheep resource by directing even more dollars to wild sheep restoration, repatriation and conservation. Our vision is to build a series of funds from which a targeted annual offtake of ~4% will allow WSF to direct 100% of our convention fundraising to mission programs. Our goal is $5 to $6 million annually in mission focused Grant-In-Aid and other funding to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain.” With your help we can achieve this vision and goal.

The Marco Polo Society was established in 2008 as WSF’s premier giving society. To compliment the Marco Polo Society and expand this giving concept to ALL WSF members and wild sheep advocates, WSF created a new giving society in the fall of 2013 – the Chadwick Ram Society with five benefactor

levels enabling tax-deductible, donor directed gifts from $250 to $5,000 per year to mission areas of the donor’s desire. Donations can be made to the WSLF Endowment Fund, WSF Conservation Fund, our annual Convention and/or Area of Greatest Need to fund specific programs and initiatives. Chadwick Ram Society members are recognized with a lapel pin displaying their Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum benefactor level. Members may also “upgrade” their benefactor levels within the Chadwick Ram Society as well as to the Marco Polo Society.

For more information on the Chadwick Ram Society, Ensuring the Future of Wild Sheep campaign, or the Keep Climbing Campaign contact WSF President & CEO, Gray N. Thornton, Development Manager, Paige Culver, or visit our website.

We cordially invite you to join the Chadwick Ram Society and help Ensure the Future of Wild Sheep!

2025 NEW/UPGRADE

CHADWICK RAM SOCIETY ® MEMBERS

CRS

Sheep Family Snapshots

I chose to support the Wild Sheep Foundation through my membership in the Chadwick Ram Society because of the deep respect I’ve developed for Wild Sheep and the places they live. My first encounter in 2019 with Wild Sheep in the wild left a lasting impression, watching a band of Rams navigating steep mountains of Alaska with power and grace reminded me of how fragile yet resilient these animals are. That moment made me realize how important it is to give back and ensure they remain on the landscape for generations to come.

For me, joining the Chadwick Ram Society wasn’t just about being part of a group, it was about taking action. This commitment is a way to support the conservation work that truly makes a difference: habitat protection, disease research, and programs that introduce youth to the outdoors. Knowing that my contribution helps keep sheep on the mountain motivates me to stay involved. Hunting has always been about more than the harvest; it’s about stewardship, connection, and respect for the wild. Through the Chadwick Ram Society, I can help preserve those values while supporting the animals and traditions I care so deeply about.

- Marcus Gores

(January 1, 2025 - Press Time)

PLATINUM - $50,000

GOLD - $25,000

Nicholas Vakay (PA)

SILVER - $10,000

Jeff & Kris Brant (WA)

Ed Checque (AK)

Jason & Julie Childs (WA)

William & Corinne Duryea (IL)

Douglas & Jacky Johnson (AK)

Cam Rader & Beth Kaplan (AK)

Loren Keisling (AK)

Robert Manger (CA)

Richard & Megan Novotny (AK)

Thomas Rea (CO)

BRONZE - $5,000

Jim & Sonja Bonanno (CO)

Janet Amos Holcomb (IN)

Cory & Rebecca Jackson (AK)

Charles & Hannah Kahahawai (AK)

Brian Magendie (LA)

Jeff McMinn (KY)

Joel Tavera (FL)

Robert Wallock (WI)

Dilan Worthley (AK)

COPPER - $2,500

Doug Beattie (AK)

Nick Brigley (AB)

Richard Cousineau (MI)

Cameron Crivelli (CA)

Tyler Donahue (SD)

Lee Downing (CO)

Spencer Jacobs (AK)

Craig Johns (NV)

Ken Jones (AK)

Delaney & Ashlyn Kavanagh (AK)

John King (IL)

Cody McLaughlin (AK)

Henry & Amy Noss (PA)

Clark Olsen (AK)

Sasha Pais (NT)

Jakobee Reviglio (NV)

Chase Sheehan (AB)

Nick & Ashley Staller (AK)

Paco Velez (DE)

Harper Walton (AK)

TODAY, TOMORROW, FOREVER FOR WILD SHEEP®

by Paige Culver WSF Development Manager

A LOVE LETTER TO OUR CHADWICK RAM SOCIETY MEMBERS: A CRITICAL PIECE TO WSF’S CONSERVATION SUCCESS

At the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), we always have several irons in the fire —juggling grant-inaid funding needs, legislative work, membership drives, Sheep Show® planning, raffles, online auctions, chapter and affiliate news, and more. Hey, it’s our job. But with so much happening, sometimes the heartfelt recognition our most loyal supporters deserve can get lost in the shuffle. Today, we want to pause and shine a bright light on you— our devoted Chadwick Ram Society (CRS) members.

Since 2013, CRS members have contributed more than $2.8 million to “Putting and Keeping Wild Sheep on the Mountain®.” That’s extraordinary. Your annual pledged gifts make it possible for WSF to fund millions of dollars in highpriority conservation projects each year. But your impact goes beyond dollars. Many of you also serve tirelessly in your local chapters, you roll up your sleeves on conservation projects, you bring passion and leadership to everything you touch, and you are just dang fun to spend time with. You are among the most engaged, generous, and committed members of WSF, and you elevate our collective effort toward our shared purpose.

CRS is also one of the most important building blocks of our Keep Climbing campaign. With five levels of giving, CRS creates a pathway for growth in giving and

ensures there’s a meaningful level of participation for nearly everyone. From the entry-level Copper Benefactor at just $250 per year to the Platinum Benefactor at $5,000, CRS offers opportunities to give that go beyond a Life or Summit Life membership. To those who continue to fulfill your pledge each year and even upgrade your pledge when you can—we see you, and we thank you. This is exactly the kind of grass roots giving that changes the world.

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” – Aristotle

This year, to show our gratitude, we are thrilled to partner with CRS member Dan Adler of Diamond Outfitters—the largest and most successful Coues deer outfitter in the world. Together, we’re offering CRS members the chance to win a one-ofa-kind dual-species hunt in Arizona for Coues deer and mountain lion. Every member, no matter the benefactor level, receives one entry for every $250 paid toward their pledge. Entries accumulate year after year and never expire. Plus, starting this December, we’ll again be giving away exciting prizes for new and

upgraded members including great optics (see page at right for details on the hunt).

If you’re already a CRS member, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you’ve participated before but your pledge has lapsed—we understand, life happens—but we’d love to welcome you back. We need you. And if you’re considering joining for the first time, now is the perfect moment to step forward and become part of this remarkable society of conservationists. Our individual gifts may not seem to be powerful enough to facilitate change, but when we stand together, our impact multiplies far beyond what any of us could achieve alone. That is the strength of CRS. To see the direct impact of your pledges, we invite you to explore our Conservation Impact Summary (scan the QR code included). There you’ll see how your hard-earned dollar is put to work protecting our treasured wild sheep and their mountain habitats. WS

For more information—or to join today—contact Paige Culver, WSF Development Manager. Ph: 406-404-8748 Email: pculver@ wildsheepfoundation.org

TODAY, TOMORROW, FOREVER FOR WILD SHEEP®

by James Spies

MY JOURNEY TO A FNAWS

My journey to achieve the dream of a FNAWS (Four North American Wild Sheep) began two generations ago in 1974 with a trip to Alaska to hunt Dall’s sheep. Fast forward a good chunk of years to BC for Stone’s sheep, then another decade for my once-in-a-lifetime South Dakota bighorn, which takes us to 2008 where I was sitting on three of the coveted four rams. I was convinced this would be the end of the sheep hunting chapter of my life. That was until two years ago when WSF Development Manager Paige charming voice lit up my phone informing me that my name was pulled in the Chadwick Ram Society drawing for a desert bighorn hunt. The dream of completing the FNAWS unexpectedly found life again! At 76 years old, honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think and I didn’t know if I had a mountain climb left in me.

This past February, I traveled to Sonora, Mexico, with my two sons, Josh and Ben, for an opportunity to complete my FNAWS. We were hunting with Jacobo, Jorge and Javier Artee of Alcampo Hunting and, WOW, if these gentlemen are not the best in the business, then no one is. A+ outfitter all around.

The 10-day hunt began by glassing a few different areas of the ranch. The scenery was beautiful, the mountains were tall, and the desert was substantial. We located a couple of rams late in the day but due to lack of daylight we did not pursue. Day 2 had a similar result with one difference, intel on a big ram following a familiar pattern. On Day

3 we went after that ram, but we just couldn’t close within a comfortable distance for me to shoot.

The following day the crew split into two. The plan—glass more ground, cover more area and find a ram. And that’s what we did. We spotted a trophy ram grazing 900 yards away on the side of a mountain. The challenge now was to close the distance, fast. This required climbing the adjacent mountain in record time. At 78 years old, running up a mountain was not my cup of tea. My hustle is more of a careful walk. We closed to 326 yards. Using rocks, we built a makeshift rest. A 50-year dream and two years of both mental and physical preparation led to this moment. My nerves were real. I could feel my blood pressure pills kick into overdrive and it quickly became go time. A couple of misplaced shots and my confidence

was fading. As I watched my dream ram nearly walk over the mountain, out of sight, I lightly squeezed the trigger and sent a round at 426 yards ... And BINGO! My trophy desert bighorn sheep was down.

The fact that this meaningful journey happened is still hard to grasp. It took 51 years to fulfill the FNAWS and it could not have happened without the remarkable guiding of the Artee family and their associates. Looking back, shooting the ram, experiencing that rush of achieving that dream was extremely emotional. But I have to say, sharing the adventure with my two boys was even more gratifying.

Thank you, Artee family, you truly are the best in the business. And thank you, Wild Sheep Foundation, for the wonderful opportunity. Most of all, thank you Josh and Ben. You boys mean the world to me. WS

• Lee & Penny Anderson (FL)

• G. Thomas & Patricia Lang (FL)

• Kevin & Janine Rinke (MI)

• Tim & Ruth Van Der Weide (IA)

Keep Climbing™ Campaign: A giving vision you can ascend

• Gary Romain & Jude Siddall (WA)

Keep Climbing campaign society members may direct your gifts to where you feel it is needed most consistent with our Today, Tomorrow, and Forever for Wild Sheep conservation focus. However, to ensure wild sheep conservation and the Wild Sheep Foundation succeeds in perpetuity, 33% of all Keep Climbing Society gifts will be directed to the Wild Sheep Legacy Foundation Endowment Fund.

WE INVITE YOU TO KEEP CLIMING WITH US TO PUT AND KEEP WILD SHEEP ON THE MOUNTAIN® TODAY, TOMORROW AND FOREVER

• Kip & Sue Slaugh (UT) For more information contact: Paige Culver • 406.404.8758 • pculver@wildsheepfoundation.org

PLEDGES ARE CURRENT AS OF 3/3/25

DIAMOND

Terry Rathert (TX)

Mike Snider (MI)

Matt Tomseth (OR)

EMERALD

Mike J. Borel (CA)

Peter & Wendy Burchfield (PA)

Wayne & Denise Lennington (TN)

RUBY

Derek & Harbor Blake (AK)

Zach & Amber Higgins (ID)

Hank Raats (NV)

David Reed (TX)

Jason Soulliere (MI)

by Greg Schildwachter WSF Lobbyist

THE OTHER PUBLIC LAND ISSUE

The U.S. federal public land issue addressed in the prior edition of this column is still active in Congress and the agencies. The proposal to sell public land, though defeated, is likely to re-emerge at some point. Meanwhile, related issues are active concerning the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF).

These funds exist because public land is central to U.S. conservation strategy, and the strategy is expensive.

LWCF, for more than 60 years, has improved wildlife habitat and hunting and fishing access in every state across the nation. LRF, since 2020, has paid for maintenance and repairs of facilities and infrastructure on public lands.

The main points of debate over these two funds are straightforward. Land is a valuable asset. The amount you need depends on your purpose for it. For every acre you own, you must pay for its management. Improvements such as roads, fences, buildings, and utilities, cost more for upkeep.

LWCF and LRF are how the U.S. answers the first and the last challenges: how much we need and how we pay for the upkeep of improvements. The middle challenge—land management —is still debated and decided in annual budgeting.

As any landowner also knows, the necessary decisions are difficult,

and the money required is often hard to come by. The U.S. decided on a bargain in Congress that would dedicate money to upkeep (the LRF) alongside a guarantee of the maximum spending on acquisition (LWCF). This is what the Great American Outdoors Act did in 2020, signed by President Trump. The law sets annual LWCF spending at $900 million (which is money collected by the U.S. from offshore energy development income). LRF spending (from tax revenue) was set at $1.9 billion annually for fiscal years 2021 to 2025, totaling $9.5 billion over the five-year period.

Naturally, WSF and its many partners supported the Great American Outdoors Act and applauded its enactment. Just as obviously, the size of the challenge is still pressurizing the issue.

Even if everyone agreed on the importance of conservation (and what it is), this is a challenging situation. As there is no singular agreement on the meaning and priority of conservation it is worse. Because the estimated cost of deferred maintenance was nearly $20 billion in 2020 and has since increased to more than $30 billion, there is a question whether we need to spend more, and if so, from what source of funds. Senators Steve Daines (MTR) and Angus King (ME-I) have introduced a bill to reauthorize and expand the LRF.

Because some people question the need to buy more land, there is an idea of moving money from LWCF to LRF. That idea became public recently through a leak of a draft policy for doing just that and met loud opposition.

Someone more concerned with reducing fire risks and improving habitat quality may have the idea of moving money from either LWCF or LRF to management. We have not seen that yet but could.

And, of course, there is the idea of selling public land. The proposal to do that earlier this year would have put some of the proceeds into deferred maintenance, but most of it would have gone into the general treasury where it would most likely have been lost to any part of a public land solution.

None of the variables in this spending puzzle are easy to adjust, but one lies beyond WSF’s ability even to try. A greater number of senators and representatives who understand and support conservation would hold the entire Congress to optimizing the value of public lands instead of cannibalizing it to pay for something else. As a 501(c)(3), WSF cannot engage in elections. We can and will continue to influence decisions, but with that we must also try to adjust expectations of how fast we can expand the public land estate while catching up on maintenance and management. WS

Founding Members

The Marco Polo Society® (MPS) is the Wild Sheep Foundation’s premier major giving “society” whose members have given and/or pledged a minimum of $100,000 to the Foundation. These donors have played a key role in the Wild Sheep Foundation’s success over the last 16 years. Quite frankly, this special group of donors has led the way in achieving our purpose of “putting and keeping wild sheep on the mountain”.

WSF SALUTES OUR MARCO POLO SOCIETY® MEMBERS TO DATE - Alphabetical Order

Shane & Angela Alexander (TN)

Lee & Penny Anderson (FL)

Anonymous

Anonymous

Stanford & Pamela Atwood (CA)

John & Jane Babler (MN)

Bryan & Barbara Bartlett (NM)

Scott & Erica Barry (MI)

Brian & Debbie Benyo (OH)

Gary Bogner (MI)

Dan & Kathy Boone (TX)

Louis & Patti Breland (AL)

Jerry & Amy Brenner (NC)

Steve & Jackie Bruggeman (MN)

Peter & Wendy Burchfield (PA)

Tony & Virginia Caligiuri (IA)

Ron & Billi Carey (AB)

Oscar & Valerie Carlson (MN)

Michael Carpinito (WA)

Walt & Joan Coram (TX)

Guinn & Betsy Crousen (TX)

Sam & Tracy Cunningham (TX)

Denis & Diane Dale (AB)

Dean & Paige Darby (MI)

Monty & Becky Davis (TX)

Since its inception in 2008, $11 million in MPS gifts/pledges have been directed to WSF and mission programs. We are so proud to announce that the Marco Polo 100 member goal was achieved at the 2024 Sheep Show when a group of generous Marco Polo members purchased the #100 member spot for a whopping $1 Million Dollars to be directed to the Wild Sheep Legacy Foundation’s Endowment Fund. We are so humbled and proud to witness the Wild Sheep Family come together to create history and we have never been more excited and hopeful for the future of wild sheep worldwide.

Jeff & Jann Demaske (CO)

Chris & Jaimie Dianda (NV)

Mike & Julie Dianda (NV)

Mark & Janice Dickson (CA)

Billy Dunbar (AK)

The Fiedeldey Family (OH)

Tom Foss (AB)

Ronald S. Gabriel, MD (CA)

Kevin Gilbert (MT)

Paul Greene (CO)

Brian and Susan Ham (AZ)

Marc & Cheryl Hansen (PA)

Jim & Sue Hens (NY)

Charles Herron (AL)

Tom & Denise Hoffman (NY)

Steve & Jill Hornady (NE)

Larry & Jane Hunts (OR)

Kevin Hurley (ID)

Ross & Nicole Jackson (CO)

Scott Jesseman (IL)

Kaan & Nurgul Karakaya (TUR)

Roger Kenner (ND)

G. Thomas & Patricia Lang (FL)

George & Kelly Lawrence (WA)

Doug & Dana Leech (WV)

Thomas Lemmerholz (GER)

Wayne & Denise Lennington (TN)

Jeff Lindgren (MN)

Robert Hall & Jane Link (FL)

Paul Mattes (MI)

Kyle & Joanne Meintzer (NV)

Joe & Christine Michaletz (MN)

Craig & Therese Mueller (ID)

Richard & Linda Murphy (NM)

The Olmstead Family (BC)

Mark & Gabriela Peterson (MI)

Ron & Vicki Pomeroy (WY)

Larry & Brenda Potterfield (MO)

Rancho La Palmosa (MEX)

Joni & Gary W. Raba (TX)

Terry Rathert (TX)

Gary & Yvonne Rigotti (OR)

Christopher Ring (TX)

Kevin & Janine Rinke (MI)

Alan & Barbara Sackman (NY)

Doug & Shelly Sayer (ID)

Roger Segebrecht (WI)

Steve & Sue Skold (IA)

Kip & Sue Slaugh (UT)

Kevin & Tuesdy Small (CA)

Dan Smith Jr. (CA)

Dan Smith III (CA)

J. Alain Smith (WA)

Mike Snider (MI)

Jeff Sorg (MT)

Daryll & Shauna Southwick (CO)

Brandon & Kristi Stokes (OR)

Rick Taylor & Carole Danyluk (BC)

Jelindo & Sandee Tiberti (NV)

Gray & Renée Thornton (MT)

Matt Tomseth (OR)

Mark Watkins (MN)

Tim & Ruth Van Der Weide (IA)

Ken & Anna Vorisek (AK)

Neal & Jody Wanless (AZ)

Mark Watkins (MN)

Jay & Martha Webster (TX)

Craig West (NC)

Steven & Ardyce Whisler (MT)

Clayton & Modesta Williams (TX)

Lyle & Jennifer Wood (AB)

Russ & Debi Young (TX)

Gary & Penny Young (WV)

Alan Young (YT)

#100 - $1M to the Endowment

AWARDS

by Dave Turchanski Chair, Ram Awards Committee

HATS OFF TO THE HARVEST

With the Sheep Season in full swing in the NWT, British Columbia, Yukon and other parts of North America, I would like to wish everyone all the best out there. Whether you’re completing the milestone of the FNAWS or taking your first ram, good luck wherever you are chasing these mountain monarchs. We recognize the preparation, time, dedication, and hours worked to afford a hunt-of-a-lifetime. We also cannot forget the people that stand behind us to do what we love—our wives and husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends and families as we trek across mountain ranges for the legal trophies that are so sought after for a brief 21/2 months of each year (or less). This is the one animal that stands out once you’ve been “bitten by the sheep bug”. Especially to the youth out there —you are the hunters of the future that will carry on the traditions of your fathers, grandfathers and some your great grandfathers. To the conservationists of the future: good luck and we look forward to hearing of your success stories. When recognising our award winners, our hats are off to you for harvesting a ram of your dreams. Having said this, we so often forget to recognise the sheep themselves. From being born in the wild to surviving predator attacks, the hunters in the sky, cold winters and dry climates, these animals are tough. The sheep should not be faulted in any way for what they have matured into—that being the great ram of the hunter’s dream. Our focus at this time of year is to

harvest a trophy of our dreams. A note to all members (and especially new members), please remember to get your trophies entered prior to the deadline of Nov.1st for the awards that are quickly approaching in January of 2026 at the Sheep Show® in Reno. We are looking forward to a bigger and better awards luncheon and can’t wait to share the stories of this year’s hunts as well as rams taken in prior years. Every year we listen to you, the hunters and members

who make our awards a success, and this coming year will be no different. We will be giving out buckles again and have upgraded the plaques to name just a couple of the bigger and better things we’re working on. Thank you to all the awards sponsors for making this a huge success once again!

In closing, just a friendly reminder —“THE ONLY THING HOLDING YOU BACK IS FEAR AND COMMON SENSE”. Good luck, be safe, and happy hunting. WS

Thursday, January 22 | Noon – 2:00 p.m. FREE Admission for Sheep SHow Attendees Includes FREE Lunch | Cash Bar $5,000 Floor Credit | LIMITED Raffle Mt. Rose Ballroom | Reno-Sparks Convention Center ATTENTION WSF MEMBERS! DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR HUNT REPORT NOVEMBER 1, 2025

ONE MORE FOR FOUR

Drawing to be held at the 2026 Sheep Show®!

2025-2026 DESERT BIGHORN

Brent Adams — Parkland County, AB

Jacob Adams — Bend, OR

John Alexander — Big Piney, WY

Ron Andrews — Emporium, PA

Jamie Arnett — Calgary, AB

Steve Arnett — Sedgewick, AB

Jacobo Artee — Nogales, AZ

Jim August — Portland, OR

Mike Baer — Henderson, NV

Chris Barker — LadySmith, BC

FJ Barrett — Central Point, OR

Steve Bate — Cascade, ID

Daniel Baugher — Taneytown, MD

Bruce Berger — St. Louis, MO

Duane Bernard — Rainier, OR

TJ Best — Black Forest, CO

Paul Bianchi, Jr. — Loomis, CA

Carl Black — Rozet, WY

Joe Bloomquist — Wolf Creek, MT

Mike Bouton — Chaska, MN

David Bull — Pocatello, ID

Dick Callahan — Downers Grove, IL

Mark Campbell — Fort Collins, CO

Cassidy Caron — Tata Creek, BC

Scott Carter — Darwell, AB

Bob Cassell — Wasilla, AK

Alex Cherian — Ketchum, ID

David Clark — Albion, ID

Marvin Clyncke — Boulder, CO

Jerrell Coburn — Fort Worth, TX

Calem Coleman — Ft. Steele , BC

Dallas Cota — Red Deer, AB

John Coulter — Tracy, MN

Larry Currey — Washington, WV

Joe Curry — Boise, ID

Richard Dahm — Mead, WA

Steve Davie — Bezanson, AB

Scott DeMars — Red Lodge, MT

Rick Dignan — Dallas, TX

Doug Dolph — Billings, MT

Mark Dunham — Meadview, AZ

Michael Edall — Okanagan Falls, BC

Charles Eddy — Solgohachia, AR

Richard Edelen — Thornton, CO

Kurt Eisenach — Sheridan, WY

Jim Elder — Eagle, ID

Russell Elms — Baker City, OR

John Eyster, II — Seven Valleys, PA

Joel Faestel — Parker, CO

John Fear — Big Piney, WY

Tom Fischer — Meridian, ID

JD Fitterer — Spokane, WA

Dylan Forsyth — Sparwood, BC

Jim Gabrick — Fountain City, WI

Rod Garland — Antioch, IL

Sandy Gelzer — Litchfield, AZ

Dwight Gochenaur — York Springs, PA

Marcus Gores — Milwaukie, OR

Tony Grabowski — Whitehorse, YT

TJ Grantham — Haines Junction, YT

Robert Gray — Drayton Valley, AB

Tom Grimes — Sheridan, MT

Harold Grinde — Rimbey, AB

Matthew “Skip” Halmes — Cascade, MT

Bill Hanlon — Sparwood, BC

Terry Hansen — Moses Lake, WA

Bradley Hanson — Westminster, CO

Joe Hardy — Soldotna, AK

Lee Hart — Gallatin Gateway, MT

Jeremy Hatala — Rimbey, AB

Stan Henderer — Pendleton, OR

Dennis Henderson — Bargersville, IN

James Henderson — Hattiesburg, MS

Wayne Henderson — Lodgepole, SD

Willie Hettinger — Harlowton, MT

Larry Hicks — Baggs, WY

Dana Hodges — Belding, MI

John Holbrook — Yuma, AZ

Brian Hope — Bragg Creek, AB

Ralph Hope — Red Deer, AB

Don Horne — Odem, TX

Robert House — Houston, TX

Bryce Hubbard — 711 havillah rd, WA

John Jobe — Hood River, OR

Breck Johnson — New Castle, CO

Ed Johnson — Bozeman, MT

Harvey Kadlec — Turtle Lake, WI

Don Kasner — Cranbrook, BC

Jordan Kasner — Cranbrook, BC

Robert Kellogg — Longview, WA

Bryan Kemble — Carbondale, KS

Mike Kemery — Clearfield, IA

Glenn Kennedy — Odessa, TX

Lester Kish — Bozeman, MT

Steve Kline — Superior, MT

Craig Kling — LaPorte, CO

Tim Koerner — Coeur d’ Alene, ID

Rob Kopecky — Edmonton, AB

Terry Koski — Calgary, AB

Lance Kronberger — Eagle River, AK

Deryk Kuny — Calgary, AB

David Lakich — Richfield, WI

Chuck LaMar — Rockport, TX

David Lancelot — Weston, FL

Karl Lansing — Creston, BC

Mike Larson — Rexburg, ID

John Legnard — Conifer, CO

Brian Leibold — Orwigsburg, PA

Michel Letourneau — Bristol, CT

John Lewton — Belgrade, MT

Leverett Lunceford — Athens, GA

Tim Magness — Billings, MT

Jim Marshall — Basalt, CO

Robert Marshall — Sheridan, WY

Kevin Martell — New Hampton, NY

Chris Maxwell — Okotoks, AB

Nathan McElroy — Rimbey, AB

Jim McEnroe — Big Sky, MT

George McGhee — Cranbrook, BC

Brooklyn McMahon — Ardrossan, AB

Ron McMillen — Ames, IA

Jeff Mees — Denver, CO

Mike Menke — Kalispell, MT

James Miller — Sparks , NV

Matt Mitchell — Sedro Woolley, WA

Noel Moore — Central Point, OR

Thomas Moore — Lancaster, OH

William Morris — Canon City, CO

Mark Morton — Muleshoe, TX

Kevin Muir — New Meadows, ID

Barry Musil — Sparwood, BC

Scott Newman — Petersburg, AK

Colin Niedmeyer — Telkwa, BC

Ken Nowicki — Cranbrook, BC

Mark Nucci — Montgomery, TX

Bill Obeid — Wilkes-Barre, PA

Billy Obeid — Wilkes-Barre, PA

Aaron Olson — Bismarck, ND

Chase Oswald — Dawson Creek, BC

John Ottman — Missoula, MT

William Padilla — Cheyenne, WY

David Paganucci — Fresno, CA

Greg Pallister — Charlie Lake, BC

David J. Palmer — Green River , WY

Armen Papazyan — Calgary, AB

Rick Parker — Crescent City, CA

Dave Parten — West Fork, AR

Derrick Passey — Prince George , BC

Bill Pastorek — Canyon, BC

Eric Pawlak — Sidney, NE

Brian Pelczar — Billings, MT

Will Peterson — Heber City, UT

Kevin Petovello — Sparwood, BC

Terry Phillips — Kerrville, TX

Ken Pierce — Hailey, ID

Clayton Podrasky — Sparwood, BC

Richard Ponterio — Santa Ana, CA

Tom Powers — Stevensville, MT

Earl Pulliam — Phoenix, AZ

David Putnam — Glenns Ferry, ID

Craig Rath — Red Deer County, AB

Thomas Rea — Berthoud, CO

Allan Reishus — Craig, CO

Daniel Reynolds — Dawson City, YT

JH Rhea — Roswell, NM

Dave Rivers — Kimberley, BC

Jim Rough — Port Coquitlam, BC

Diana Rupp — Fort Collins, CO

Nathan Saar — Red Deer County, AB

Lance Schneider — Drayton Valley, AB

Mark Schwartz — Montrose, CO

Wayne Selby — Cranbrook, BC

Gary Sessions — Flora Vista, NM

Tim Shinabarger — Billings, MT

Kyle Shoman — West Fargo, ND

Larry Shuey — Annville, Pa

Flint Simpson — Canmore, AB

Ray Sindlinger — Fort Dodge, IA

Don Sitton — Rockport, TX

Houston Smith — Kings Mountain, NC

Daniel Soliday — Perkasie, PA

Maurus Sorg — Saint Marys, PA

Doug Speight — Kemp, TX

Edward Spies — Watertown, SD

Jon Stanek — McMurray, PA

Wild Sheep Foundation is once again giving away a FREE sheep hunt to one of the members listed below to help them complete their FNAWS Drawing will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Must be present to win...

BE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED BEFORE OUR SATURDAY BANQUET IS SOLD OUT! LIST CURRENT AS OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2025.

Lance Stapleton — Salem, OR

Jerry Stefanitsis — Bronx, NY

Anton Stewart — Big Valley, AB

Barry Stewart — Cranbrook, BC

James Stormer — Ridgeway, WI

Ronald Strathearn — Ashcroft, BC

David Swank — Paxinos, PA

Darryl Sword — Canal Flats, BC

Justin Taylor — Canal Flats, BC

Jason Teeples — Lander, WY

Neil Thagard — Clarkston, WA

Darren Thomson — Okotoks, AB

Troy Tidwell — Bellevue, WA

Charlie Todd — San Jose, CA

William Treichel — Green Valley, AZ

Ken Trudell — Green Bay, WI

Brandon Turley — Redmond , OR

Derek Tymchyna — Cranbrook, BC

Dave Van Belleghem — Calgary, AB

Andre Van Hilten — Nanton, AB

Kyle Van Valkenburg — Cora, WY

Joe Vander Poel — Pixley, CA

Dave Vanderhoff — Klamath Falls, OR

Bern Vetter — Kaysville, UT

Waylon Vipond — Pouce Coupe, BC

Adrian Vos — Rimbey, AB

Les Wall — Coaldale, AB

Brian Walter — Dallas, TX

Lyle Warner — Cody, WY

Rodger Warwick — Billings, MT

Stanley Wasserfall — Dix Hills, NY

Adam Weatherby — Sheridan, WY

Scott Widdifield — Calgary, AB

Kelly Wiebe — Nanton, AB

Dillon Williams — Hillcrest Mines, AB

Dan Witthuhn — Appleton, WI

Edd Woslum — White Bird, ID

Kris Wrathall — Delta, BC

Justin Wright — Pinedale, WY

Gary Younkin — Hume, VA

2025-2026 BIGHORN SHEEP

Dale Ableidinger — Yakima, WA

Harold Alexander — West Richland, WA

Kelby Anderson — Friday Harbor, WA

John Arnold, Jr. — Zionsville, PA

John Arnoldi — Rock Springs, WY

Jim Barbour — St. Helena, CA

Brad Baryenbruch — Spring Green, WI

John M. Bedlion — Las Vegas, NV

John Behrns — Wabasha, MN

Jim BIllingsley — Winnemucca, NV

Amy Blackstone — Aberdeen, SD

Pete Carlson — Maple Plain, MN

Scott Clark — Colorado Springs, CO

Kirk Cleland — Grosse Pointe Woods , MI

Jon Cordova — Sparks, NV

Farley Daniels — College Station, TX

Kelly Davis — Mead, WA

Wayne Deason — Floresville, TX

Alisha Decker — Juneau, AK

Terry Dieren — Rock Rapids, IA

Mathew Dominy — Mesa, AZ

Murray Fain — Surrey, BC

Ryan Foutz — North Salt Lake City, UT

Steve Fowler — Boiling Springs, SC

David Frasher — Oak Grove, MO

Mike Frings — Tulare, CA

Ron Frugoli — Rigby, Id

Dustin Gilbertson — Lamoille , NV

Colton Giles — West haven , Ut

Mike Gleason — Morgan, UT

John Green — Oxford, MS

John Greer — Boise, ID

Paul Grundman — Rio Dell, CA

Mark Gutsmiedl — Larsen, WI

Garth Hardy — West Jordon, UT

Ron Heidemann — Hayden, ID

John Hendrix — Anchorage, AK

Shad Hulse – Cedar City, UT

Stacey Hunt — Ritzville, WA

Nathan Ingram — Caldwell, ID

William Jensen — Wellsville , UT

Robert Kappe — West Chester, PA

Todd Kaufman — Coeur d’Alene, ID

Mark Kenny — Pittsburgh, PA

David Kidder — Hesperia, MI

Blaine Kitzul — Vernon, BC

Edward Lande — Yakima, WA

Jeff Lindgren — Mebane, NC

Joseph LoMonaco — Anchorage, AK

Chris Lyon — Nicholasville, KY

Richard Manly — Evans, GA

Mike Marinelli — Alpharetta, GA

Kelly Memmott — Pleasant Grove, UT

Richard Mitchell — Mechanicsville, IA

Kenneth Moran — Tuba City, AZ

James Morehouse — Tucson, AZ

Geof Moss — Star Valley Ranch, WY

Robert Musser — Aspen, CO

Robert Naugle — Visalia, CA

Loren Nielsen — Casper, WY

Thomas Opre — Columbia Falls, MT

Blake Patton — Tomball, TX

Mike Perchetti — Lamoille, NV

William Pettett — Hart, MI

Earl Petznick, Jr. — Paradise Valley, AZ

Jim Philipzyk — Fruitvall, BC

Sal Piazza — Dalton Gardens , ID

Evan Pritchett — Johns Creek, GA

Taylor Raats — Las Vegas, NV

Doug Roth — Paso Robles , CA

Marc Rue — Fargo, ND

Paul Schultheis — Clovis, CA

Cody Shoman — Hardwood, ND

Neal Skinner — Sun Lakes, AZ

Larry Spillers — Ennis, TX

Angelo Tiberti — Las Vegas, NV

Scott Tilzey — Reno, NV

Eric Torgerson — Ethridge, MT

Justin “Bo” Tripp — Reno, NV

Kurt Turner — Burleson, TX

Jared VanLanen — Greenville, WI

Robert Vlach, Jr. — Appleton, WI

Richard Vogl — Huntington Beach, CA

Zachary Walton — Rocklin, CA

Darwin Watson — Hudson Hope, BC

Gerrick Weakley — Vancouver, WA

Kenneth Womack — Fallon, NV

Mark Young — Augusta, MT

Gary Zunino — Spring Creek, NV

2025-2026 STONE’S SHEEP

Ed Anderson — West Sacramento, CA

Robert Anderson — Casper, WY

Austin Atkinson — Cedar City, UT

Bob Barlow — Story, WY

William Barrickman — Anchorage, AK

Alan Brock — alpharetta, ga

Ben Buntrock — Williston, ND

Marvin Davis — Reno, NV

Keith Fine — East Greenwich, RI

Jim Fitzgerald III — Orange Cove, CA

Scott Homrich — Maybee, MI

Eric Hunt — Wickenburg, AZ

Tyler Ingram — Elko, NV

Kent Jeffries — Gillette, WY

Travis Jessop — Sparks, NV

Steven Johnson — calgary, alb

Wayne Lackner — Willcox, AZ

Stephanie Lough — Ponoka, AB

Gary Lundstrom — Rapid City, SD

Joseph Maddock — Bryn Athyn, PA

Randy Martin — North Logan, UT

Anthony Martinez — Cerrillos, NM

Kyle McGovern — Bozeman, MT

Mark McVeigh — Reno, NV

Craig Mitton — Pleasant View , UT

Dan Montgomery — Wasilla, AK

Blaine Nimer — Huntsville, UT

Jason Pierson — Cambridge, MN

Jim Pinello — Falcon, CO

Tom Saad — Glendale, AZ

Bill Samuelson — Anchorage, AK

Thomas Sellin — Eagle, ID

Tyler Shanks — Reno, NV

Brian Solan — Helena, MT

Thomas Van Diepen — Baker City, OR

Remi Warren — Reno, NV

Rocky Yardas — Lander, WY

Dave Ziehlke — Medford, WI

2025-2026 DALL’S SHEEP

Dave Aranguena — Winnemucca, NV

Kevin Cheng — Redwood City, CA

Jake Reed — Spring Creek, NV

Alexander Sharif — Calgary, AB

Don Walker – Big Sky, MT

PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST CAREFULLY. If you’ve fulfilled your FNAWS and are no longer eligible, OR if you have questions about registering for the One More For Four Drawing, please contact Julie Tripp at jtripp@wildsheepfoundation.org.

Images courtesy

(L to T)

David Fort / Mckenzie Sims / Mike Schmid / Tyler Nielson

2026 Hunting and Trophy Awards

EXCELLENCE, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT DESERVE TO BE RECOGNIZED.

WSF’s Hunting Awards honor the game animals we hunt while recognizing members’ accomplishments in harvesting North American sheep with rifles or bows under Fair Chase conditions, as well as international species of sheep and goats. Our FNAWS recognizes those members who have harvested the Four North American Wild Sheep. Completion of a FNAWS is one of the most sought-after and respected accomplishments among North American sheep hunters.

The 2026 Ram Awards luncheon will be held on Thursday, January 22 from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Mt. Rose Ballroom at the RenoSparks Convention Center during Sheep Show®. If you haven’t already submitted your entries, now is the time to do so! All entries must be received by the November 1, 2025. Entries can be submitted in several ways: On-line Hunt Reports through the WSF website, e-mail a completed PDF of your Hunt Report along with a copy of your score chart and field photograph, or mail your Hunt Report along with a printout of your official score chart and field photograph.

ELIGIBILITY DATES

RAM AWARDS

North American sheep taken between August 30, 2023 – August 30, 2025, that haven’t already received an award.

MOUNTAIN MONARCHS

International sheep and goats taken between August 30, 2022 – August 30, 2025. See complete list of eligible categories on the WSF website.

RAM AWARD

RULES & REGULATIONS

n NEW FOR 2026! Hunters entering a ram or mountain goat must be a WSF member in good standing when they submit their Hunt

Report, not before their harvest.

n An official Boone and Crockett Club or Pope and Young Club Measurer must score North American rams. Only official 60-day dry scores will be considered. SCI score charts or green scores will not be accepted.

n Official score charts must include all the measurements and final score, along with the date and location information and be signed by the official measurer.

n A field photograph of the sheep must accompany the entry.

n All entries must have the name of the outfitters and guides, if they were used.

n California bighorn sheep must have certification from the Fish and Game Department that identifies the ram as a “California bighorn.”

YOUTH AWARDS

Youth Awards recognize WSF members under 18 years of age who have legally and ethically harvested North American sheep in a free-range environment regardless of whether

the ram meets the required minimum scores. If a ram harvested by a youth exceeds the minimum scores, it will also be eligible to receive a Ram Award, however an official score chart is required. Youth must be either have their own membership or be listed on a family membership to be eligible.

MOUNTAIN MONARCHS RULES & REGULATIONS

n These awards will only be given for outstanding trophies. The International Awards Committee will annually determine the minimum sizes to be considered.

n A completed SCI score sheet. The score must be certified by the hunter’s signature; it is desirable that an official SCI measurer also certify the score.

n A completed WSF Hunt Report form.

n A high-quality field photograph.

FNAWS RECOGNITION

A Wild Sheep Foundation FNAWS recognizes those members

who have harvested the four north American wild sheep. The deadline for submissions for the 2026 Sheep Show® is November 1, 2025.

COMPLETING YOUR FNAWS

To qualify for a FNAWS a WSF member must have legally and ethically harvested all four sheep in a free-range environment. Each sheep harvested must be recorded with WSF using the WSF Hunt Report Form and include a photograph, preferably a field photo. No official score chart is required for a FNAWS ram.

AWARD RESOURCES

Scan the QR code at right to go directly to the Awards page on the WSF website. You will find a complete list of details as well links to the on-line Hunt Reports and a PDF version you can download. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact Julie Tripp, Awards & Publications Director at jtripp@wildsheepfoundation.org or 406.602.8138.

RAM AWARD CATEGORIES AND MINIMUM SCORES

DALL’S SHEEP

160 B&C points (rifle)

120 P&Y points (archery)

STONE’S SHEEP (FANNIN)

160 B&C points (rifle)

120 P&Y points (archery)

CALIFORNIA BIGHORN*

165 B&C points (rifle)

140 P&Y points (archery)

DESERT BIGHORN

165 B&C points (rifle)

120 P&Y points (archery)

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN

175 B&C points (rifle)

140 P&Y points (archery)

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT

47 B&C points (rifle)

40 P&Y points (archery)

*California bighorn sheep are not recognized as a species in record-keeping by either B&C or P&Y, therefore the minimum scores are established by the WSF Awards Committee.

MOUNTAIN MONARCH CATEGORIES

Argali

Mouflons

Urials

Mouflon & Urial Hybrids

Northeastern Asian Thinhorn Sheep

Pseudo Sheep

Wild Goats

Markhors

Ibex & Relatives

Chamois

Tahrs

Takins

No published minimum scores. Awards based on up-to-date rankings with SCI.

IMPORTANT DATES

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

November 1, 2025

AWARDS LUNCHEON

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Noon – 2:00 p.m.

SCAN FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE WSF AWARDS PROGRAM.

Pen 2 sheep in the corral during daily feeding,

RESTORING THE OKANAGAN’S WILD SHEEP: A COLLABORATIVE FIGHT AGAINST PSOROPTIC MANGE

BY PETER GUTSCHE, DIRECTOR, WILD SHEEP SOCIETY OF BC ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF PETER GUTSCHE

It’s no secret that one of the most persistent threats to wild sheep in North America is disease. Across the West, we’ve seen entire herds struggle to recover from pathogens introduced through contact with domestic livestock. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Wild Sheep Foundation, its chapters and affiliates, dedicated wildlife professionals, and an army of passionate volunteers, many

of these threats are finally being confronted head-on.

Over the last decade, Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae or “MOVI” as it is now widely known—has become a household name among wild sheep conservationists. This bacterium is notorious for sparking devastating allage pneumonia die-offs and chronically suppressing lamb recruitment.

But there is good news: through collaborative “ test-

and-remove ” programs, wildlife managers and conservation partners have begun reversing declines in some of the continent’s most iconic bighorn herds—like those in Hells Canyon, spanning Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and along the Fraser River in British Columbia, with its rich history of transplants to many western states.

These projects are proof of what’s possible when the wild sheep community unites behind

a cause, and this crucial work will help pave the way for the disease issues facing the California bighorn sheep of the Okanagan Valley in southern British Columbia, as they face both MOVI and the less renowned Psoroptic Mange, known in the domestic sheep industry as “sheep scab.”

Caused by the parasitic mite Psoroptes cuniculi, this disease primarily affects the ears of infected animals but can spread across the body. In addition to causing temporary loss of hearing, this mite infestation leads to intense itching, crusting, hair loss, and skin thickening. The resulting stress, blood loss, and compromised condition can leave animals more vulnerable to predation and other illnesses.

The impact on California bighorn sheep in the region has been staggering, with population declines of 50–70% having been

documented in some herds.

The Okanagan Valley— straddling the border between British Columbia and Washington State—is home to roughly 1,500 bighorn sheep in total. Throughout the region, disease issues are rampant between MOVI and Psoroptic Mange, with almost every sheep battling one disease or the other. While not all animals are infected by mange, the disease has been confirmed in multiple herds on both sides of the border, with troubling signs of spread in recent years in Washington.

The story of Psoroptic Mange in BC’s wild sheep began in 2011, when a visibly sick ram was spotted near Olalla, BC. Wildlife health investigations revealed the culprit: Psoroptes cuniculi. Subsequent research traced the infection’s likely origin to the former Okanagan Game Farm, which closed in 1999 but may have

left behind a legacy of pathogens.

From that first case, the parasite has slowly—but persistently— worked its way through South Okanagan herds, from Penticton to the Similkameen, Ashnola, and Chopaka, and across the border into Washington.

Managing Psoroptes infestations is no small task. These sheep inhabit rugged, transboundary landscapes, making coordinated management challenging. Until recently, treatment options were limited.

Now, thanks to promising advances in veterinary medicine, injectable treatments—like Cydectin Long-Acting Injection (Moxidectin 2%)—and oral products such as Flexolt (Fluralaner) are showing potential for long-lasting mite control in domestic livestock. These developments offer new hope for application in wild sheep.

In early 2025, years of planning

Canadian Wildlife Capture’s Ben Berukoff in action with two incoming sheep in the Ashnola.

One-day-old lamb in Pen 4, late April.

culminated in a bold new initiative: The Okanagan Bighorn Psoroptes Treatment Program. This collaborative effort brings together the Wild Sheep Society of BC (WSSBC), the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), the Penticton Indian Band (PIB), Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB), BC provincial wildlife biologists, and veterinarians, with critical grant in aid funding support from the Wild Sheep Foundation. As is often the case, the WSF Chapters and Affiliates have come through in a time of need, with WSF Washington leading the charge alongside WSF Idaho, Alberta, and the Texas Bighorn Society through our Adopt a Sheep sponsorship program.

Our mission is clear: to restore the health of infected herds, halt the spread of the mite, and create a replicable management model for Psoroptes control across North

America’s wild sheep populations.

Behind the scenes, the program is led by ONA Biologist Mackenzie Clarke, with technical expertise from BC Parks Biologist Craig McLean, BC WLRS Biologist Andrew Walker, BC Provincial Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Caeley Thacker, PIB Biologists Matt McPherson and Kieran Braid, and WSSBC’s Peter Gutsche and Chris Barker. A dedicated volunteer corps rounds out the team.

Over four days in late February and early March, the team successfully captured 28 bighorn ewes and yearlings, both male and female, from the Okanagan and Similkameen via helicopter netgunning and ground darting.

Canadian Wildlife Capture’s Ben Berukoff piloted in challenging mountain terrain. Andrew Walker served as net-gunner with Mackenzie Clarke as mugger, while on the ground, handlers

from WSSBC, ONA, PIB, and LSIB received and processed each animal.

Health data collected included temperature, weight, body condition, hair and fecal samples, blood draws, nasal swabs, ear tissue, and age estimation. Each sheep was ear tagged and moved to four specialized treatment pens located on PIB land in Penticton.

From April through May, the pregnant ewes gave birth to 12 lambs in the pens, increasing our herd to 40 animals.

Our initial plan to begin treatment of the sheep in June was temporarily put on hold due to complications with Health Canada but has since been resolved through political pressure on the part of WSSBC CEO and WSF Vice Chair Kyle Stelter, a testament to the impact our organizations have in challenging situations.

Over the next 15–18 months,

Sampling team meeting in the sheep pens in Penticton, going over handling/sampling protocols.

The fight against Psoroptic Mange is a fight for the very future of these herds.

the sheep will be handled monthly for treatment and monitoring.

Trials of both the injectable and orally fed medications will target the mites directly, while ongoing sampling will track recovery and refine treatment protocols. Three of the pens will be used for this treatment, with the fourth pen being used as a control herd for the

latter stages of the program where we will attempt to re-infect the sheep to determine the longevity of the medications for future applicability on a landscape level. This program is about more than just saving a few dozen sheep— it’s about protecting the future of an entire metapopulation that straddles an international border.

By eliminating Psoroptes from a managed group and releasing them back to the wild, we aim to seed healthy, mite-free animals into the landscape, while paving a path for treatment of the greater population in the years to come.

If successful, the approach could be adapted to address Psoroptes outbreaks elsewhere, just as testand-remove strategies for MOVI have spread from a handful of herds to multiple, international jurisdictions.

The Okanagan Bighorn Psoroptes Treatment Program is a shining example of what’s possible when conservationists, scientists, and Indigenous leaders work side-byside with dedicated partners from across North America.

This ambitious initiative would not exist without the incredible generosity of our funding partners, namely the Wild Sheep Foundation and WSF Washington Chapter, and our numerous Adopt a Sheep sponsors. Your support is directly saving lives and building a healthier future for the

Ear crust from Psoroptic Mange.

Handling crew collecting samples from a triple capture in the Ashnola.

Psoroptes infected ewe in the pens, one month post capture. Note the drooping ears, a sign of advanced mite infestation.

Okanagan’s wild sheep.

Major Project Sponsor (WSF Grant in Aid):

• Wild Sheep Foundation and their Chapters and Affiliates Okanagan Bighorn Conservation Sponsors:

• Washington Wild Sheep Foundation

• Hud Bay Minerals – Copper Mountain Mine

Pen Sponsor:

• Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation

Adopt a Sheep Sponsors:

1. Erik Skaaning

2. Red Stag Construction

3. Texas Bighorn Society

4. Texas Bighorn Society

5. Alberta Chapter of Wild Sheep Foundation

6. Alberta Chapter of Wild Sheep Foundation

7. Cam Foss

8. Sigrid Lightfoot

9. Barbara Watt

10. Keremeos Cawston Sportsmen’s Association

11. Foss Media

Every one of these contributions is more than a name on a list— they are a lifeline for this project. From the drug trials in the pens,

to the daily feed and care, to the specialized equipment and lab testing, your support is what makes each of these critical steps possible.

On behalf of the Wild Sheep Society of BC, and every volunteer, biologist, and handler working on this project: thank you. You are giving the Okanagan’s wild sheep a fighting chance.

Even with this incredible support, long-term success depends on sustained funding—and this is where you can make a direct, personal impact.

Through the Adopt a Sheep sponsorship program, you can help provide the veterinary care, feed, and handling resources needed to see each of these sheep through the full treatment cycle. Sponsorships also support disease testing, drug trials, and monitoring that will benefit herds far beyond the Okanagan Valley.

The fight against Psoroptic Mange is a fight for the very future of these herds. With your help, we can ensure that future is bright. When you adopt a sheep, you’re not just helping one animal— you’re investing in a future where

wild sheep can thrive without the constant shadow of debilitating disease. Sponsors receive regular project updates, behind-thescenes stories, and the satisfaction of knowing they are part of a conservation success story in the making. You’ll even receive a unique, personalized care package from our team.

If you’d like to sponsor an animal, pen, or on a greater scale through Adopt a Sheep Sponsorship Program, please contact:

Peter Gutsche Director, Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia petergutsche@gmail.com

Kyle Stelter CEO, Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia

Vice Chair, Wild Sheep Foundation kstelter@wildsheepsociety.com

Follow project updates on our @okanaganbighorns and @wildsheepsocietybc Instagram accounts, and at Okanaganbighorns.com.

Capture/Handling crew group photo highlighting the power of collaboration for conservation work. Wildlife professionals, passionate conservationists, and Indigenous knowledgekeepers.

So...You Want To Hunt Sheep?

BY ADAM R. BRONSON — EPIC OUTDOORS

To aspiring sheep hunters, the dream of hunting wild sheep in the remarkable places they call home is widely shared, and in many cases, romanticized. The famed author and sheep hunter, Jack O’Conner, defined it this way, “Sheep Hunters are romantics, who love high places and solitude…”. But there’s a catch; nearly all sheep hunters

can’t hunt sheep when and where they want to. Acquiring a coveted tag through the state draws has become increasingly difficult as tag quotas have been reduced or remain relatively unchanged while applicant numbers have steadily increased. In addition, many states have had well established bonus point systems in place for the last 25-

35+ years, making newcomers to the sheep application game feel like there is little chance to ever draw a tag. Frankly, drawing a desert or Rocky Mountain bighorn tag in the lower 48 states is very difficult to do, something that may never happen. While you can book hunts in some states for these two species, as well as in Mexico, British Columbia, or Alberta,

the harsh reality is that for most hopeful sheep hunters, drawing a tag is the only affordable way of getting their chance to hunt a desert or Rocky someday. If you don’t already have a pile of bonus points accrued, and you’re going to commit to applying for draws and raffles for sheep tags, you have to accept a few conditions—first, you can never actually expect to draw a tag, the odds are against you. With that in mind, the second thing is that you’ll need your name in as many hats throughout your life as your circumstances and finances allow. Remember, you can’t win if you’re not in, someone is going to draw every tag you apply for, it could be you! The reward of

You can’t draw a sheep tag if you aren’t in the drawing.

drawing or winning certain sheep tags is literally $50,000-250,000 in value. So, if you choose to enter the sheep tag application game, you have to just grit your teeth and accept the long shot odds and hope for the best, then be forever grateful if you ever see the word “Successful”.

I define true sheep hunters as dreamers, and eternal optimists, always believing they can and will draw a tag. They are able to will their way to hunt sheep however they can. Where there is a will, there is usually a way to hunt sheep. I want to dissect the western state draw tags for desert, Rocky Mountain, and California bighorns from a nonresident

perspective, then conclude with the current state of the thinhorn hunts up north. I’m going to speak pretty frankly about things since the game of becoming a sheep hunter has changed dramatically over the past several years.

Desert Bighorn Sheep

If you want to hunt a desert bighorn sheep in your lifetime, you need to apply in all the states that you can, and simply hope to get lucky. It is much more expensive to apply in some states than others, and for this reason, some are harder to justify. You simply must weigh out the costs versus the long shot odds and choose the states that make the most sense

for you. You can’t draw a sheep tag if you’re not in the drawing. No matter what state or unit you apply for, desert bighorn tags are tough to draw. There are a few states that are known to produce bigger rams than others, but we recommend that hunters wanting to have a chance at harvesting a desert bighorn should apply in most places they are found.

Arizona: Arizona is a must apply for state for desert bighorn. It has a wide range of units to apply for, from strenuous physical style hunts to some units that are easier to access. They have excellent populations of desert bighorn, as well as having units that are known for producing giant rams. The drawing odds are tough, generally speaking, but there are units that have easier drawing odds compared to the trophy units. Although the bonus point system has been in place for 35+ years, hunters can statistically draw the first year they apply. Hunters applying for desert bighorn and/ or Rocky Mountain bighorn must do so on the same application. Only one sheep application is accepted in Arizona, but with two valid choices on an application, hunters may mix the choices between desert bighorn and Rocky Mountain bighorn or use both choices for the species they want most. You have to purchase a $160 nonresident hunting license to apply, but it is worth the minimal additional cost to add sheep to your Arizona applications if you are also going to apply for other species.

Nevada: Nevada has the highest number of desert bighorn of all

Nevada: There are plenty of units to choose from with many units known to produce a few great rams, and other easier-to-draw units with average rams.

the western states and therefore, they issue the most tags. Nevada is a must-apply-for state, although drawing odds are still very tough. There are plenty of units to choose from with many units known to produce a few great rams, and other easier-to-draw units with average rams. Nevada squares your bonus points prior to the draw, thus giving you a better mathematical chance to draw a tag each year you apply. Applicants can theoretically draw on their first year of applying, regardless of how many bonus points they have built up. There are plenty of units that are physically easy to hunt, as well as tougher units. You have to purchase a $155 nonresident hunting license to apply, but again, it is worth the minimal additional cost to add sheep to your Nevada applications if you are also going to apply for other species.

does not compare to Arizona and Nevada, but the country and scenery in many units are second to none! Utah also sells 6-7 desert bighorn conservation permits each year, in various units, if you’re looking for an alternative to going to Mexico.

attached) or desert bighorn (which only issues one nonresident tag per year and the point system does not pertain to desert bighorn.) For most people, we suggest applying for Rocky Mountain sheep in Colorado.

Utah: Utah is currently issuing around 8-9 nonresident tags for desert bighorn permits, each year, through the draw. The odds of drawing are very bad, but for the additional minimal fee to apply, it’s hard not to, especially if you’re buying the required nonresident hunting license of $144 and applying for other species anyway. Desert bighorn hunts in Utah have very high harvest rates and, for the most part, are not terribly physical in most units. The quality of rams

Other states to consider applying for: There are a few other states that have desert bighorn, but for different reasons, are not what we consider “must apply for” states. California has some great desert sheep, however, the odds of a nonresident obtaining the one or two tags that potentially may be issued to a nonresident does not warrant the cost of applying, unless you have maximum points. You must purchase a $220 hunting license as a prerequisite to apply— so it’s not cheap. In Colorado, applicants must choose whether to apply for Rocky Mountain bighorn (which have many more tags available and bonus points

New Mexico has some awesome desert bighorn. However, the nonresident drawing odds, (with typically 1 total nonresident regular tag and 2-3 guided draw tags available per year in the entire state) may or may not be worth it to you. Applicants must front the entire tag and license fee when applying, which will be over $3,200, of which you get most all back within a couple months, if not drawn. New Mexico does not have a point system so it’s a pure random draw. Applicants may apply for desert bighorn as well as Rocky Mountain bighorns on the same application for one $3,200 fee. Texas is a little different, as they have both an inexpensive state application for one desert sheep tag as well as a cheap raffle for one tag as part of the Big Time Texas Hunts Grand Slam Package. Even though the odds are long, the $9-$10 price tag for each drawing makes applying for Texas sheep hard not to do.

Rocky Mountain and California Bighorn Sheep

As with desert bighorns, if you want to hunt Rocky Mountain bighorn sometime in your life, you need to be persistently applying

for as many states as makes sense. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, as well as California bighorn sheep (sub-species of the Rocky), are found in many western states with the “true” Rockys being the most prevalent. In some states, they have a separate application process and/or a bonus/ preference point system for the Rockys as well as the California bighorns. In other states, they are all categorized as Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep when considering the point system and when it comes to applying for them.

Colorado: Colorado is a great state in which to apply for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, considering the number of nonresident tags and quality of sheep overall. While not known for giant rams, they have good rams with high harvest success in most units. They have a set number of nonresident tags as well as a preference/bonus point system, which statistically helps your drawing odds get better every year you apply. You must accrue three preference points (apply for three years) before you are eligible to draw a permit on your fourth year. Colorado requires a small game hunting license purchase of $101 plus a minimal application fee to apply. You also have the option of paying a $100 preference point fee to gain another point after the draw. If you choose to apply for Rocky Mountain bighorns, you can’t apply for desert bighorn and vice versa.

Idaho: Idaho has both Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep as well as the California bighorn sheep. There have been only a

handful of California bighorn units with nonresident tags available in recent years, as their numbers have been struggling in the southwestern portion of the state. Rocky Mountain bighorn units are located more in the rugged mountain country in the center part of the state and their populations have been doing extremely well in recent years. You must choose to apply for one or the other species of sheep, not both. Applicants who apply for sheep may not apply for any other species in the state or if you apply for any other species, you may not apply for sheep. This improves the drawing odds, and forces hunters to choose to apply for what is most important to them. While Idaho sheep drawing odds are still tough, they are much better than many other states. Applicants must submit the entire sheep tag fee and the nonrefundable hunting license fees when applying; this equates to about $325 nonrefundable for nonresidents, which is costly. There is no bonus or preference point system in Idaho, so the draw is purely random, with nonresidents receiving up to 10% of the total sheep tags in the state. Montana: Montana has long been known as the land of giant Rocky Mountain bighorns; however, quality and populations overall have suffered over the past decade. As a result, tag quotas have decreased dramatically to just 6-7 total nonresident tags per year, making drawing odds even tougher. There are several different units to choose from, however, the units available to nonresidents vary from year to

As with desert bighorns, if you want to hunt Rocky Mountain bighorn sometime in your life, you need to be persistently applying for as many states as makes sense.

year. Nonresidents are limited to up to 10% of the total sheep tags. They have a bonus point system where points are squared, and applicants have that many chances at drawing a tag. The fees to apply are reasonable, costing applicants around $100 nonrefundable and applicants are only required to pay the tag fee if drawn. Montana was once a must- apply-for state for bighorns but has gotten increasingly tougher to justify for newcomers. Unique to Montana are the “unlimited” units with tags you can buy over the counter before May 1, each year. These units have a set harvest quota, usually of two legal rams ¾ curl or greater, and then the unit closes. These units are not easy and require a lot of preparation and hard hunting to get a crack at a legal ram, but they are a way to hunt sheep whenever you want to.

Nevada: Nevada has both Rocky Mountain bighorns and California bighorn sheep. Rocky Mountain bighorn populations are so low at this time that nonresidents have not been offered any tags for several years. The California bighorn sheep units are in the northwest portion of the state and are hard not to apply for if you are already applying for other species, whereas it is a very minimal application fee. The quality of rams is average to good, but it’s a sheep tag, and the hunts are not extremely physical. There are set nonresident units and tags for the California bighorns, but the drawing odds are terrible. There is a bonus point system where your bonus points are squared prior to entering the draw. Nevada

has only been issuing about four nonresident California bighorn tags each year.

Utah: Utah has both Rocky Mountain bighorns and California bighorns, but they lump all units together for application and bonus point purposes and they are all listed as Rocky Mountain bighorns. Utah has typically been offering nonresidents two units for Rockys and two units for California bighorns, each year. The California bighorn rams are much smaller than the true Rockys. Drawing odds are terrible, but the additional fee to apply in Utah for sheep is $15, if you’re already buying their hunting license and applying for other species, so it’s worth throwing your name in the hat. The Rocky Mountain sheep hunts in Utah have mostly average to above average rams, but offer a great experience.

Other states to consider applying for: A majority of Arizona sheep units open to nonresidents are for desert bighorn, although they do offer 5-6 units each year for Rocky Mountain bighorns. You have two choices on your Arizona sheep application, and you can select one hunt for each species or both choices for the same species. If you decide to apply for Rocky Mountain bighorn, the quality of the hunts and rams is great. If you’re already applying in Arizona for other species, it is only $15 more to add a sheep application. New Mexico has some incredible Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, but the upfront fees required to apply, nonresident drawing odds, and minimal tag numbers may or

may not make it worth applying for you. Applicants must front the entire tag and license fee when applying, which will be over $3,200, of which you get most all back if you don’t draw. New Mexico offers nonresidents a total of one tag in the normal draw and 2-3 tags in the guided draw, with drawing odds varying from 1 in 1,000+ to 1 in 2,500+, depending on whether or not you are applying with an outfitter. Oregon has Rocky and California bighorn sheep. However, usually all but one unit open to nonresidents is for California bighorns. Their point system does not pertain to sheep, so, if you are not applying for any other species, the nonrefundable cost of applying ($172+) may not be worth it for you. The nonresident drawing odds vary from roughly 1 in 400 to 1 in 1,200, depending on the year and the unit in which you choose to apply. Applicants must choose whether to apply for a Rocky unit or a California bighorn unit. Washington has a few California bighorn units available in the state draw and usually only one or two Rocky Mountain bighorn units to apply for. The nonrefundable application fee is $110, and the drawing odds vary from about 1 in 1,500 to 1 in 4,100+, depending on the unit. This makes it questionable for nonresident applicants. However, the quality of sheep in Washington is good. Washington has a bonus point system where points are squared, which helps applicants with a lot of points gain more names in the hat. Nonresidents and residents apply together with no quotas pertaining to residency.

Wyoming is not a must apply for sheep state these days. Due to a decrease in the numbers of sheep tags for nonresidents, to a total of 10%, the drawing odds have become much tougher. There is typically only zero or one total nonresident random sheep tag to apply for each year, and all other nonresident tags will be issued to applicants with 25-28+ preference points. To apply for a unit, applicants must front the entire tag fee of $3,017 at the time of application. If unsuccessful, they will pay an optional $150 for a bonus point and another $75-85+ in application and credit card fees, making the total nonrefundable fees $225+, or so. This is too much for some to shell out for what will be very tough random drawing odds, especially if you’re only in the random draw for one nonresident tag. Wyoming sheep hunts are mostly backcountry, wilderness-style hunts. Using horses and outfitters is advised for most nonresidents.

If you have the means to bypass the draws altogether, then there are multiple state auction tags you can purchase throughout the winter and spring at various state events for desert, Rocky Mountain, and California bighorns. Many of these are sold through the Wild Sheep Foundation at their Sheep Show® each year. These tags can be very pricy, depending on the expected size of rams in the state or area, but they offer the buyer a tax-deductible purchase with nearly 100% harvest success. The Canadian Rocky and California bighorn hunts you can book with

an outfitter for $50,000-100,000+ have varied widely in terms of hunter success and ram availability in recent years, so do your research before booking a hunt. Most Desert sheep hunts in Mexico have very high harvest rates and current prices for free-range legitimate Desert sheep hunts south of the border are $45-65k, with some considerably more expensive where the opportunity to harvest 175-180”+ rams are better.

In addition to the desert and Rocky Mountain bighorn hunts we’ve discussed, each year, most states also have state raffle or super tag drawings for their respective sheep tags. These have inherently terrible drawing odds but the huge upside if you were to win, in most cases, is a statewide tag. To the extent you can, enter these drawings, just to keep hope alive!

Dall’s Sheep

Over the past five years, the prices for Dall’s sheep hunts have

increased dramatically across both Canada and Alaska. The COVID limitations in traveling to Canada caused hunters to gobble up Alaska openings furiously, increasing demand for hunts and prices. Then, multiple severe winters in a row caused many areas in Alaska to suffer significant losses to sheep populations, prompting closures to some areas and an overall reduction in numbers of legal rams statewide. These and other factors have limited the supply of Dall’s sheep hunts. The limited supply, coupled with inflation, has also driven prices up. Alaska does have some draw tags in certain areas of the state that typically offer a better chance at a trophy ram than the non-draw areas. These draw hunts are slightly cheaper, due to the logistics for outfitters but, regardless, drawing a tag is tough to ever count on, so you can’t ever plan on drawing a tag to hunt a Dall’s ram. Currently, most Alaska Dall’s sheep hunts are $35-45K and most Yukon and NWT hunts are $45-55K. Dall’s sheep have long been known as the cheapest sheep hunts to purchase, and many sheep hunters have started their sheep hunting quest with a Dall’s ram. Now Dall’s sheep hunts are comparable to Mexico desert sheep hunt prices, and for more hunters, they are unaffordable. Consequently, there have been an increasing number of raffle hunts available for Dall’s sheep, in recent years, through organizations like WSF and state and provincial WSF chapters, as well as many other conservation and sportsman

organizations. You likely see them roll through your inbox or on social media throughout the year. Play these fundraisers as you can; the money goes to good causes to further sheep management throughout North America. For an increasing number of aspiring sheep hunters, these raffles may be the only way they can hope to hunt a white ram, for the time being. If you can bear the cost, I encourage you to book a hunt when you can, because history tells us that prices won’t come back down.

Stone’s Sheep

Since Stone’s sheep are limited to just British Columbia and the Yukon, their numbers and opportunities to hunt them are far lower than Dall’s sheep, and therefore the prices for them have also climbed increasingly. Some Stone’s hunts have nearly doubled in price in the last 6-8 years, with many hunts now being in the $7590k range and some reaching $105120k. It’s a classic case of supply and demand and, similar to Dall’s sheep hunts, we’re going to have to get used to the sticker shock. For the average Joe, the ability to book a Stone’s sheep just isn’t a reality anymore. That’s a humbling and unfortunate set of circumstances, that makes applying for every Stone’s sheep raffle a must for many who aspire to harvest one. There have been far more Stone’s raffle opportunities showing up in recent years through many state WSF chapters and other organizations. I highly encourage you to have a name in the hat for

as many of them as you can.

In my opinion, hunting sheep is as fulfilling an endeavor as there is in terms of pursuing hunting goals. The satisfaction that comes from first touching a ram’s horns as you walk up on him, after all that had to align to get to that point, is as special and reverent a feeling as there is in the outdoors.

As sobering as the statistics are for acquiring a sheep tag throughout North America, remember what I said earlier: Sheep hunters are dreamers, and eternal optimists. Someone has to win, it might as well be you.

Work hard, make a plan, and stick to it. Good luck! WS

“Record

Sulaiman Markhor”

The Texas Aoudad Issue:

How Did We Get Here?

IIn the winter of 1957, officials with the Texas Game & Fish Commission released aoudad into the Palo Duro Canyon in the vast Panhandle region.

The agency now known as the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) intended this stocking to create a new big game species that could be hunted and managed alongside native wildlife. They released 31 of the North African natives, also known as “Barbary sheep,” southwest of Claude in Armstrong County, followed by 13 more in 1958 near Quitaque in Briscoe County, according to Texas Tech’s Natural Science Research Laboratory.

All of them came from New Mexico’s McKnight Ranch.

The Land of Enchantment’s own introductions had also been sourced there, with aoudad stocked in the Canadian River drainage and other sites as early as 1950.

Stretching for roughly 120 miles, up to 20 miles wide, and plunging as low as 800 feet deep, Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States. Its sheer walls, broken slopes, and maze of draws seemed, in the late 1950s, like the perfect place to establish a new, challenging quarry for hunters. It offered space, cover, and a landscape that mirrored the rugged terrain aoudad knew along Africa’s Barbary Coast and had adapted to across the border.

But no one at the time could have foreseen how this introduction would play out in the decades to come.

BY CHESTER MOORE

West Texas Takeover & Desert Bighorn Conflict

By 2025, the aoudad population has expanded far beyond the Palo Duro Canyon and its surrounding river and creek drainages. Aoudad are present on thousands of highfenced ranches, and there are free-ranging populations in the Hill Country, South Texas, and most prominently in the deserts west of the Pecos River, aptly named the “Trans Pecos”.

Although difficult to survey, some estimates range from 80,000100,000 in the region.

That’s more than all the desert, Rocky Mountain, and California bighorn populations combined.

It’s 10 times more than the pronghorn population in the Trans Pecos, nearly half of the mule deer population in the entirety of their massive Texas range, and 50 times the Texas desert bighorn population when it was at its peak around 2019.

And since a massive outbreak of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MOVI) reduced Texas desert bighorn herds down to around 500 animals, aoudad outnumber the native ungulate by 200-fold. On top of that, Texas A&M researchers have linked the MOVI outbreak directly to aoudad.

The introduced exotic has not only left a giant ecological footprint, but it has also acquired a devoted following among hunters. While both males and females have horns, the males are significantly larger. With sweeping, thick horn

mass along with decorative chaps that extend down the chest and legs, and weights of up to 350 pounds, they make an impressive trophy. They are considered highly wary and a worthy adversary that is understandably appealing to hunters.

Numerous landowners and outfitters make considerable income from their pursuit. The animals are abundant and there is a market for them in a state that is 97 percent privately owned.

But their presence has come very close to displacing desert bighorn sheep from Texas altogether. In fact, it’s the closest any introduced ungulate has ever come to extirpating a native ungulate in North America from such a large territory.

“It’s not like an introduced predator that has literally preyed on desert bighorns. It’s more of a peer-to-peer type of competition where aoudad have many advantages,” said Corey Mason, Executive Vice President of Conservation and COO of the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF).

There is currently much discussion and even controversy regarding aoudad and their impact. The key to making informed decisions on the topic lies in understanding the aoudad themselves and how the fuse on their population bomb was lit.

“With cutting-edge science giving us a better understanding of these animals and their impact, it is galvanizing a coalition that includes WSF, the Texas Bighorn Society (TBS), TPWD as well as

Unlike native bighorn sheep, which typically produce one lamb per year, aoudad ewes can not only twin but also breed twice annually.

other wildlife NGOs and private landowners to make a stand for desert bighorns,” Mason said.

back to the future

A 1967 TPWD document provides more detailed information on the history of aoudad in America and their rapid population growth.

“Aoudad were first imported into this country by the Jersey City Zoo on December 14, 1900. The zoo stock prospered, and other zoos and private individuals acquired the surplus aoudad. In 1950, New Mexico obtained a herd of the drought-resistant animals from the McKnight Ranch near Picacho, NM, and released them near the mouth of the Canadian River gorge, where native bighorn restocking programs had failed.”

New Mexico manages aoudad as game animals, as Texas did in Panhandle Counties, until 1997 when an act of the Texas legislature deemed them unregulated exotics state-wide.

The same document noted the original stocking of 44 animals had boomed to more than 600 in a

decade and had spread out to more than “20 airline miles”.

Trucks and trailers, however, spread aoudad far beyond that distance, and they continue to spread them.

A search through an exotic animal trading group showed a post advertising,” 70 aoudad caught in big trap. Ready to sell and move anywhere. PM for prices.”

Another forum showed 16 aoudad of mixed sex advertised for sale by sex and horn length.

Most aoudad trapped in West Texas are coming out to highfenced ranches in other parts of the state. But if areas in the TransPecos suddenly had an aoudad drought, there’s nothing stopping landowners from trailering them back in.

And this has been going on forever.

A TPWD document entitled Exotics in Texas by Max Traweek and Roy Welch reinforces this.

“Aoudad sheep, with 20,402 animals counted in 1988, ranked fourth in population of exotics in Texas and was reported confined

on 159 ranches in 65 counties and free-ranging only in an additional eight counties. The population estimate does not include the Stateregulated aoudads free-ranging in the Palo Duro Canyon area.”

Someone drove a trailer into each of those ranches and released the animals. And of course, many escaped over the years.

This includes in the Trans Pecos where a paper written by biologists Stephen Kasper and Franklin Yancy said that “In the early 1970s, several aoudad were released onto private lands that later became parts of Big Bend Ranch State Park.”

Aoudad reproduction capacity is another key driver behind their rapid range expansion. Unlike native bighorn sheep, which typically produce one lamb per year, aoudad ewes can not only twin but also breed twice annually. This means a single ewe can produce up to four lambs

in a single year, and they begin reproducing at a much younger age than bighorns. Such prolific reproduction enables their populations to rebound swiftly even after significant reductions.

And while both Texas and New Mexico officials nearly 70 years ago released aoudad in certain areas, private individuals have released them and started confirmed populations in Oklahoma and Oregon. Both states now have established free-ranging populations large enough for outfitters to advertise hunts for them.

Add the ability to spread MOVI to bighorns on top of these factors, and the impact even in either small or large populations is concerning.

In the TPWD study that examined the risk of MOVI transmission from aoudad to bighorns, the aoudad themselves felt little impact. Bighorn reactions ranged from illness to mortality.

While some aoudad cleared the infection by 155 days after exposure, others carried the agent 211 days after exposure when the study was terminated. If given more time, these individuals may have continued shedding MOVI.

And as the hardy animals expand their range, they have more opportunities to bring it with them.

born survivors

In their native North African mountains, aoudad historically shared the landscape with some of the most formidable predators on the continent like cheetahs, leopards, striped hyenas, African wolves, golden jackals, caracals, and golden eagles. Lambs must be quick from birth, and adults survive by combining wariness, endurance, and the ability to navigate brutal, cliff-strewn terrain. While many of those predators are gone from there now, surviving them is built into aoudad.

In Texas, the predator list is far shorter. Outside of the unlikely potential of eagle or bobcat predation on lambs, mountain lions and coyotes are the top predators here, and recent research shows that even lions struggle to bring them down.

In studies tracking more than 200 collared aoudad across West Texas, not even one was confirmed killed by a mountain lion, while bighorn sheep and mule deer in the same country suffered regular losses.

Overall survival rates tell the same story: in the Chinati Mountains, annual survival for collared aoudad hit 94.6 percent compared to just 72.6 percent for

mule deer, and in the Quitman Mountains, 89.7 percent for aoudad versus 57.5 percent for mule deer.

The author saw that toughness firsthand in South Texas while running hog dogs with a rancher back in the late 1990s. The pack had been trailing a boar when they “trashed” on a massive aoudad ram, meaning they took off after something they weren’t supposed to chase. The handler assumed the bay dogs were barking at a hog, so he released the catch dog, a muscular, hundred-plus-pound pit bull.

In the tangle of cactus and mesquite the two collided, and with a single, violent thrust of its head, the ram shattered the dog’s jaw. The pit bull survived, but the encounter ended any doubts about how formidable these animals can be.

That toughness makes their situation in Texas a complete reversal from their IUCN-listed “Vulnerable” status in Africa, where degraded habitat, overgrazing by livestock, and poaching have driven populations into small, isolated pockets. In much of their native range, they contend with limited forage, scarce water, and a full suite of natural predators.

In West Texas, they enjoy vast, contiguous habitat, abundant artificial water from ranch infrastructure, supplemental feed intended for cattle and game and protection from poaching.

The desert these vast herds of aoudad live in doesn’t recover quickly either.

When aoudad overgraze an area, particularly in extra dry years, it can take a long time for the land to

recover. This loss of forage impacts desert bighorns, mule deer, and other species, including pronghorn, scaled quail, and javelina.

“Habitat degradation is the root of all these issues,” said TPWD Desert Bighorn Leader Froylan Hernandez.

“And the drought only makes it worse. Without habitat recovery, none of our native species will thrive.”

In the Chinati Mountains alone, TPWD counted 7,881 aoudad and removed 5,773 of them by aerial gunning. They estimate that saved 19.4 million pounds of forage in a single year.

Aerial gunning is now an option for private landowners as well.

In 2025, Texas passed Senate Bill 1245, which officially added aoudad to the short list of species that may be taken via helicopter under a wildlife management permit, joining feral hogs and coyotes.

• The aerial removal is strictly for land management, not

recreational hunting.

• It is limited to areas west of the Pecos River, where aoudad populations have become particularly problematic.

• The Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission is tasked with oversight.

It’s a big move requested by private landowners who are dealing with burgeoning aoudad herds. While aerial gunning is aimed at reducing numbers in key areas, other efforts are underway to support desert bighorn restoration.

The shining example is the recent Franklin Mountains project, where desert bighorns were reintroduced into aoudad-free habitat.

a win for desert bighorns

In December 2024, history was made in West Texas when TPWD released 77 desert bighorn sheep (40 ewes and 37 rams) into Franklin Mountains State Park above El Paso. It was the first time in more than a century that

wild sheep roamed these rugged Chihuahuan Desert peaks. The translocation from Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area was the result of years of planning by TPWD with support of WSF and TBS.

Every animal was carefully tested to ensure it was free of disease before being fitted with a GPS collar and set loose in the 24,000-plusacre park, which is entirely free of aoudad and domestic sheep. Within months, lambs were born and were seen roaming the peaks overlooking the city.

For many Texans, this herd in El Paso now offers the first real opportunity to see desert bighorns in their natural habitat and awareness of their existence and conservation challenges is at an all-time high.

As inspiring as the Franklin Mountains project is, it highlights a sobering reality: Texas, bighorn management happens under the constant pressure of aoudad.

These hardy North African imports reproduce faster and survive better than bighorns, while carrying the deadly MOVI pathogen that has already cut Texas’s desert bighorn population by two-thirds in recent years.

That knowledge has galvanized a powerful coalition of TPWD biologists, WSF and TBS, and engaged private landowners across the Trans-Pecos. WSF alone contributed $302,800 to the Franklin Mountains effort, funding capture operations, medical testing, helicopter surveys, and the installation of vital water developments.

“We’re finally getting a lot more buy-in on the management of aoudad numbers,” said Shawn Gray, TPWD Mule Deer & Pronghorn Program Leader.

“Landowners are starting to realize if they don’t manage the population, aoudad are going to dominate and cause problems for native wildlife.”

Sam Cunningham, WSF board member, and Past President of TBS echoed the urgency:

“Aoudad present truly significant challenges for our desert bighorn populations here in Texas. Their role in disease transmission and habitat degradation underscores just how vital projects like the restoration desert bighorn sheep to the Franklin Mountains are to the future of the species.”

facing the challenge

At the 2025 WSF Chapters & Affiliates gathering in Fort Lauderdale, FL, the WSF board implemented a moratorium on aoudad hunting promotion across its platforms and activities.

The concept is to avoid officially endorsing any activity that might further the proliferation of the exotic species in the range of desert bighorn sheep.

More than six decades after aoudad were introduced to Texas, the ripple effects of those first

stockings in the late 1950s are still unfolding. What began as a small release in Palo Duro Canyon has grown into one of the most widespread and resilient ungulate populations in the state that keeps growing and growing.

Aoudad have spent millennia honing their survival skills in some of the harshest landscapes on Earth, but until recent history, desert bighorn sheep never had to share their native range with them. Now, in the mountains of West Texas, the two species stand as symbols of very different legacies: one born from deliberate introduction, the other from painstaking restoration.

The challenge before wildlife managers is to ensure that the story of the bighorn is not one of loss, but of recovery. And that will depend on the choices made today, while there is still time to write a better ending. WS

POLICY ON PROMOTION OF AOUDAD HUNTING

Conservation of native wild sheep and the ecosystems they occupy comprise the primary mission of the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF). WSF supports scientific solutions to resource management challenges, and to that end, WSF has invested heavily in research related to disease investigations and mitigation, wild sheep populations and habitat management, control of non-native wildlife, and other strategies. WSF recognizes the value of some exotic species to hunters, state wildlife agencies, and landowners; however, any endeavor that is counter to the WSF mission should be avoided. Recent scientific research

Approved-June 15, 2025

shows that aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) have adversely impacted both desert bighorn sheep populations and the habitat in which they live. In Texas alone, aoudad have reduced the native desert bighorn sheep populations by over 75%, with numbers continuing to decline. These declines are the result of pathogen transmission from aoudad to desert bighorns, impacts to social structure of native bighorn sheep herds, and degradation of habitat.

The Wild Sheep Foundation finds the promotion of aoudad hunting in direct opposition to our purpose of “Putting and Keeping Wild Sheep on the Mountain”. Effective immediately, WSF has

implemented a moratorium on all sales, support, promotion, or advertising of any aoudad hunting at any WSF event, publication, on social media, or other communication. This includes, but is not limited to, promotion & selling of aoudad hunts by exhibitors at its annual Sheep Show® convention, inclusion in WSF’s auctions, raffles, and its Awards program. The moratorium and prohibition does not affect the promotion or sales of Barbary sheep legally hunted in its native range in northern Africa. Additionally, WSF respectfully requests that all its Chapters and Affiliates take the same action. WS

Scan here to read the WSF Position Statement on Aoudad.

STEWARDS IN THE CANYON

COLLARING HOPE IN THE IMNAHA RIVER CANYON

BY JIM MANLEY

Five steps across the parking lot, on the way to my truck, I could tell the temperature was near zero. The snow squeaked under my boots, and my nose and mustache instantly turned to ice. The air was still and dry, and darkness pressed in, broken only by the dim halo of the parking lot lights. It was 5:30 am, Saturday, February 8, 2025, and I was heading to the

Enterprise District Office of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Slipping the selector switch into four-wheel drive and easing onto the snowy highway, my suspicions were confirmed when I saw the outside temperature gauge registered four below zero Fahrenheit.

This was day one of a bighorn sheep capture, test, and collar project in northeastern Oregon.

It was part of the Hells Canyon Initiative, monitoring disease outbreaks in bighorn populations in the tri-state region of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The effort would test for Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae (MOVI) and apply GPS collars for long-term monitoring. It would be my first opportunity to be a part of such an endeavor, and to say I was excited would be an

understatement. I’ve hunted my whole life and have been severely afflicted with Sheep Fever for the last 23 years. I feel blessed to have completed 12 sheep hunts, but I’d long wanted to do more… to give back. Volunteering at the sheep show for the last decade and joining various affiliate chapters as a life member has been rewarding, but I wanted to get my hands dirty. This was the chance.

The previous evening, all members met at the office for an orientation. Don Whittaker, the ODFW Ungulate Coordinator, started the meeting and soon turned it over to Holly TuesLance, the Enterprise District Biologist and Capture Boss for this project. In addition to Don and Holly, there were various ODFW members, including the state veterinarian and her vet tech. Also in attendance were staff from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, US Forest Service, and biologists from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Rounding out the group were four members of the Oregon Wild Sheep Foundation and the helicopter capture crew.

Shortly after 6:00 am, we were on the icy highway heading north toward the tiny town of Imnaha. Ninety minutes later, we were unloading the trucks and packing equipment up a snow-covered ridge to a wide bench that offered relatively flat ground for the helicopter to land and for us to work the sheep. It was cold, with mid-calf and deeper snow in some spots, but hauling gear up the slope warmed us quickly.

We cleared flat spots with snow

shovels for the medical stations. Then we created trails: one to the sheep drop zone, one to the scale site, and another to a release area. Some crew members laid tarps on the cleared snow. Others assembled military-style stretchers and placed them on the tarps to help prevent them from being blown away by the chopper’s rotor wash. Don and Dave, Oregon WSF members, erected a tripod scale from three lengths of two-inch pipe and a tripod adapter. We packed all the medical equipment to the site, and the veterinarians, biologists, and techs verified and organized the supplies.

By this time, the sun had risen, large and pale, behind a screen of fluffy clouds. With the work

done, we took a breather, and it wasn’t long before we spotted a herd of elk on the mountain to our east. They stared down at us in wonderment.

Finally, we heard the distant whomp-whomp-whomp of rotors, and everyone turned to look. The pilot circled once, surveying the layout, then settled the big machine in the snow about 100 yards away. As the rotors wound down, the three-man crew stepped out and approached. All were young, slim, and fit. Wayne, the pilot, addressed the group, “I’m really sorry that we’re so late. We started with our other ship much earlier, but there were mechanical problems. Luckily, this one was available.” Wayne was calm and

professional, giving everyone a sense of confidence.

After a helicopter safety briefing, they lifted off in search of the first sheep. Forty-five minutes later, they returned. This time, dangling from a long line were two bags, a ewe in one and a lamb in the other.

There was a scramble. Everyone was excited and ready for some action. We all knew our jobs. We would man the stretchers for this first exposure, carrying the sheep from the drop zone to the scales. After weighing them, we brought them to the medical stations. The sheep, blindfolded and hobbled, were still in their transport bags. We carefully unbuckled the four straps that secured each bag and slipped them

from under the sheep. Then, as students, we watched and learned the procedures and techniques. When the biologists and vets were finished, we carried the stretchers up the trail to the release site. There, three folks worked together to ready the animal. One loosened the blindfold, while the other two released the hobbles and secured the legs. On the count of three, the blindfold was removed, and we let go. The sheep jumped to their feet and ran to the mountain.

I learned a lot during this first procedure. Professionalism and experience radiated from the crew. Nearly all of them had done this many times and knew what to expect and how to perform.

Talking was kept to an absolute minimum, and even then, only in whispers. Every movement was slow and deliberate. A calming hand was sometimes placed on the animal’s neck, but never with heavy pressure. Someone was always stationed near the sheep’s tail, monitoring temperature with a rectal thermometer. Any indication of a rise would be treated with cold water in the armpits or abdomen. After this first sheep’s treatment, I realized my concerns about the cold, snowy weather had been unwarranted. The 14 to 16 inches of snow made for a soft landing as the sheep were netted, hobbled, and bagged for transport.

Combined with the single-digit air temperature, it kept the animals from overheating due to anxiety. Winter weather, it turned out, was perfect for the sheep.

After a short discussion of what we had just witnessed and learned, we split into two groups. My group jumped in three pickups and headed downstream. The pavement ended a few miles north of Imnaha, and the road quickly turned rough and narrow. It was carved into the steep walls of the Imnaha River canyon, with hairpin turns and vertical drop-offs constant features. We stopped and chained up at the first flat spot wide enough. This brought some level of confidence

as we continued winding our way downstream on the side of the canyon.

On the drive, Don spotted two ewes and a lamb bedded on a sharp-spined ridge overlooking the river. Within another mile, we found a flat bench to pull the trucks onto. It was the perfect spot, a relatively level peninsula that jutted into the canyon near two main drainages. The clouds had drifted back in, obscuring the sun, and while there wasn’t much wind, it was still cold. But the work of setup soon warmed us.

Since we could drive directly to the project site and had already learned how things would be laid out, the work went smoothly and quickly. ODFW had a scale support system that fit into a hitch receiver. Two tarps were staked down, and the stretchers assembled. Within 45 minutes, our station was ready for business. Holly pulled out her radio and contacted Wayne, giving him our location and adding, “We spotted a few sheep on the west side of the river about a mile south of us.

Take a look on your way out.” It turned out to be good advice. Within a half hour, the helicopter appeared in the distance with two sheep. Wayne radioed Holly with an update, “We’re bringing you two. A ewe and a lamb.” Minutes later, the chopper carefully lowered the sheep onto the snow. Once it had lifted away, two teams hustled to the bagged sheep. Three of us worked together, two handling each stretcher and another person calming and steadying the animal. We brought the sheep to the scales and weighed them, then carried

“What’s the gun like?” I asked. “Just happen to have one,” he replied. He opened the back door to his truck and pulled out the strange rifle.

them to the tarps and the waiting vets, biologists, and techs. We unbuckled the four bag-closure straps and slipped the bags off.

I was kneeling at the head of the male lamb, and Dave had taken his position at the tail. Emily, the vet tech, instructed him on how and when to monitor the sheep’s temperature. Julia, the ODFW veterinarian, joined me and began examining the young ram. She checked for ear mites and did a full inspection for any current or past injuries. At the same time, Emily administered a serum injection to help minimize the animal’s stress. Julia prepared an empty syringe and began massaging the young ram’s neck, flattening the hair and smoothing it along the grain. The next step was one of the project’s most challenging and technical procedures—finding the jugular vein. Frances, the Idaho DFG representative, stepped over and knelt beside Julia. With two fingertips, she pressed down on the base of the lamb’s neck. Immediately, Julia slipped the long needle in horizontally and began drawing blood. The young ram didn’t move. The blood was transferred into two separate vials, ready to be shipped to a lab to test for markers of exposure to MOVI. Julia, Emily, and Frances repositioned to the ewe lying on the other tarp. Meanwhile, Anton, another ODFW staff member, joined us near the head of the lamb. He carried the individual sheep collection package containing all the necessary test items. Inside the large Ziplock were a data sheet, an appropriate tracking collar

for the sheep’s age and sex, a colored ear tag, vials for the collected blood, nose swabs with coordinating vials, and a DNA collecting punch. Chris, the fisheries biologist from Enterprise, recorded all the data specific to this sheep.

Anton handed me a nose swab, which would be tested later for

MOVI. I swabbed each nostril with the first swab and then sealed it in its vial. A second swab was identically used. I performed the third and fourth swabbings the same, except those were placed in vials with a solution. Eight insertions total, and I was amazed at how well the sheep tolerated it. Occasionally, there was a brief wrinkle of the nose or a slight pullback. I whispered to them, “Easy, baby. I didn’t like this either during all of the COVID tests.” I think

the sheep were more tolerant than I had been.

Anton asked me to prepare the collar for installation and used the DNA punch to make a small spot on the ram’s ear. Trading the collar for the punch, I secured it in its pouch and returned it to the Ziplock. We worked together on the collar; he determined the space needed for growth while I connected and tightened the securing hardware. Then, using the DNA spot for a target, Anton installed the ear tag. The lamb gave a slight jerk of discomfort but settled immediately. The collars and ear tags were essential. They provided the biologists with realtime mortality notification, which allowed them to quickly locate a deceased animal and determine the cause of death. They were also invaluable for tracking seasonal movements or relocations.

We waited for our partner crew to finish working up the ewe and then, using the stretchers, carried the sheep to the release site. Holly calmed our lamb as she slipped the lower strap of the blindfold over his nose. Dave and I unhobbled him while holding his legs. Anton verified both sheep were ready for release and quietly made the count to three. Both sheep jumped up and moved forward. The young ram broke into a gallop and headed straight for the mountain. The ewe, perhaps slightly disoriented, paused and made a broad sweep before following. Showing his exuberance, the young ram disappeared into the rims within minutes, with the ewe close behind.

The day continued in this

fashion—chilly and relaxed while waiting for sheep and fast and furious when a fresh load arrived. Every procedure became quicker and easier. I was amazed at how calm and docile the animals remained. During a break, Holly explained, “It’s the blindfolds. The sheep get really nervous if one comes off and they see all of the commotion. Plus, moving slowly, keeping our voices low, and not applying any pressure helps keep them calm.” Later that day, this was proven to me when a ewe’s blindfold slipped above one eye. She immediately grew restless and agitated. Julia noticed, eased over, and pulled the mask back down. The ewe calmed at once. She then asked me to hand her the ultrasound wand and gel. Maneuvering the wand over a

shaved portion on the ewe’s side, she looked up and smiled. “She’s pregnant. They all have been.”

As we waited for another sheep to process, the fuel truck for the helicopter eased into our site. Their fueling process was quick. After the aircraft lifted and departed, I walked over to meet the driver. He was busy working on the sheep nets to pass the time between fuelings. I offered to help and, in the process, began learning more about the capture phase of our project.

While helping him straighten tangled nets, I quizzed the driver about the procedure. Noting that one of the rear doors of the helicopter had been removed, he explained, “Both the gunner and the mugger wear safety harnesses. When they approach sheep, the

gunner leans out of the ship. The pilot then maneuvers the chopper into a position so the gunner can shoot.” “What’s the gun like?” I asked. “Just happen to have one,” he replied. He opened the back door to his truck and pulled out the strange rifle.

The gun was built with a rifle stock and had a single-shot boltaction receiver. Four barrels protruded forward and outward from the receiver at about 15-degree angles. Each barrel was around 20 inches long, with the open ends forming a square pattern about 10 to 12 inches across. The bore of each barrel resembled that of a 20-gauge shotgun. Alongside the gun sat a container of .308 blank cartridges. “And what do they shoot out of these four barrels,” I mused. “Let’s

go back to the nets,” the driver answered.

We had one of the 10’ x 10’ nets spread out in the snow, and he handed me four five-inch-long steel rods. They appeared to be about half an inch in diameter, with one end rounded and the other fitted with a loop and a 10” cord. One by one, we connected the rods, serving as weights, to the corners of the net. While doing that, I noticed each weight had a rubber O-ring. These fit the rifle barrel perfectly, allowing the blank cartridge to propel the weights out

of the barrels with some speed. The process made sense to me as we laid the loose net into a small plastic box, leaving the four weights for last.

“Cub, our gunner, is really good with this rifle,” the driver said. “He’s nearly 100%.” He went on to explain the rest of the capture process: “The net weights are shot out of the angled barrels, which spread the net to its full width. The sheep get tangled and go down.”

As we started straightening the next net, he continued, “Then Wayne maneuvers the helicopter

close to the sheep so the gunner and the mugger can get out. They rush to the animal and install the hobbles, mask, and bag, being careful not to stress it.” “Sounds like these guys know what they’re doing,” I remarked. “Oh yeah, this is what they do. All over the country, and with many different species,” he added.

Holly’s radio crackled, and we heard Wayne say, “We’re bringing you three. They’re not from near you, so I want to take them back after you’ve worked them.” We all looked at each other, dropped our sandwiches, and started scrambling. Quickly, we set up another tarp and workstation. Holly broke us into three teams. Within minutes, the chopper was churning our way with the biggest load of the project. Everyone was rested, knew what to do, and was anxious to get to work. The sheep were calm, and the procedures went perfectly. Holly radioed Wayne, “We’re done and have the sheep ready for pickup.” The chopper hovered in, and what I witnessed next was one of the most impressive actions of the two-day project.

With Levi, the mugger’s help, we laid the three sheep on the snow, their carbineers fastened in a tailto-head daisy chain. Levi clipped the main drop line to the head end of the top sheep and climbed into the aircraft. Wayne gently lifted the helicopter, gradually tightening the line until the top sheep’s head started to rise. Then, ever so slightly, he raised and backed up the chopper, lifting the first and second sheep off the ground. As he slowly elevated to pick up the

third sheep, she suddenly placed her head on the wrong side of the attaching carbineer, putting her in serious danger of a bind. Somehow, Wayne nudged that massive, powerful machine a few inches forward and down, just enough for the ewe to move her head to the correct side of the attachment. Then, with a smooth rise, he gently lifted the string of three sheep into the air, and they were off. Such amazing skill and compassion! The two ewes and the lamb were flown back eight miles to where they were captured so they wouldn’t struggle to return to familiar territory.

Those were the last sheep we worked in the Imnaha Canyon for this project. In total, 24 sheep were captured, examined, tested, and collared. The following day, a smaller crew jetboated up the Snake River and worked 18 more sheep. At the time of this writing, the final test results had yet to be published, but early indications showed no disease present. In addition, all the collared sheep are alive and well in their home territory.

The knowledge, experience, and passion for the sheep brought to this project by everyone involved was truly inspiring. It was a privilege to be a part of such a worthwhile, successful venture.

As if forming a checkpoint, these four girls watched as we left the site. I could almost hear them ask, “Were you folks helpful today? Are you good stewards? Are you doing everything you can for us?”

Hopefully, we can all answer, “Yes.” WS

ONE OF THE LARGEST HUNTING, FISHING AND OUTDOORS EVENTS IN THE U.S.

Start things off with our Conservation Kickoff Banquet & Auction on Thursday, then continue the fun at this massive, 3-day expo featuring top outfitters, gear manufacturers and conservation partners – plus banquets, auctions and special events, like the Conservation Champions Breakfast and the Ladies Luncheon & Auction. Bring the whole family, 1-Day passes start at just $35 and kids (16 and under) are FREE! Register now to be a part of the future of hunting and conservation.

ADVENTURE-READY RIFLE SYSTEM

AVAILABLE IN 6.5 PRC FOR ALL MOUNTAIN SPECIES

SPECS

WEIGHT // 8.8lbs

STOCK // MDT HNT 26 with folding buttstock

BARREL // 22” Proof Sendero

OPTIC // Huskemaw Tac Hunter 5-20x50 with Dual Stack RFBC® Turret System

TRIGGER // TriggerTech Field

AMMO // Hornady ELD-M

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

THE BARREL DIRECTS THE BULLET. BOTH ARE SLAVE TO THE STOCK, THE EXTENSION OF YOUR HAND AND EYE.

BY WAYNE VAN ZWOLL

A hunting-rifle stock must be slim enough to permit quick adjustments to shooting position afield.

“The rifle was one he’d bought from a mail-order house for around $13…It was bolt action with a solid iron rear sight…Sometimes when you worked the action, no cartridge would feed; [then] you‘d jerk the bolt back again, and all six cartridges would come flying up at once…Theoretically, one trigger was set and the other hair, but they didn’t seem to work. [So I’d just] jiggle both triggers until I heard a bang.” But this borrowed relic had more punch than his .25 Remington. And on B.C.’s Peach River in the 1920s, you sometimes had to make do.

The tracks led into poplars. Hunter and moose saw each other about the same time. The bull rose from his bed. “I pointed the 6.5 behind his shoulder [and] jiggled the triggers…He [lurched] and lowered his head. [Again I] jiggled the triggers, and he went down.” Walking up, “I reached out and grabbed one of his horns” to pull the great head around. But suddenly the moose reared up full height, pivoting on his hind legs and ignoring the bullet sent pointblank into his noggin. He galloped off a few yards and folded. “[My] head shot didn’t amount to much. There’s a lot of wasted space in a moose head….”

Feeding and firing hiccups mattered more to Bruce Scrarf than did his rifle’s stock. Within range of a moose’s hoof, a firm grip on whatever part of the rifle comes to hand is enough.

But shots at mountain game are longer and usually more deliberate. Instead of a 20-minute walk on fresh prints into a poplar copse, you might log days climbing about steep places. Beyond a handle, the stock is your leash on the barrel, which directs the bullet.

Modern rifle stocks trace their basic form back to flint ignition. The percussion cap changed them

A good stock almost thinks for you, bringing your hands forward, steadying the sight on target before aiming is a plan.

little. Then, in 1858, Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson introduced a metallic cartridge case. Barrel-length fore-stocks secured by bands would go the way of the ramrod. Oddly enough, they remained on infantry arms through WW II. But the halfstock pioneered on Hawken plains rifles and early percussion carbines soon dominated on lever- and boltaction sporters.

Meanwhile, the sharply curved crescent butt of the 18th- and early 19th-century “Kentucky

rifles” acceded to what became the “shotgun butt.” Riflemen began holding the butt in the cup of the shoulder, against the clavicle, instead of placing it on the muscle at the juncture of arm and shoulder.

Hunting rifles built on ‘98 Mauser and 1903 Springfield actions in the 1920s and ‘30s by the likes of Griffin & Howe and R.F. Sedgley became, in time, “classics.” While the shape and dimensions of steel parts contributed, the stock was the defining feature. It influenced the

form of Winchester Models 54 and 70 and Remington’s 700, the Savage 110 and Ruger’s 77 – also rifles made abroad: Sakos from Finland, CZs from the Czech Republic. In turn, Mauser ’98 sporters and Austria’s early MannlicherSchoenauers, swayed American rifle design. Their profiles and detailing are evident in work from ace custom stockers of the mid-20th century, among them Alvin Linden, Robert Owen, Thomas Shelhamer, Jerry Fisher, Alvin Biesen. A

The comb on this vintage Holland &Holland magnum is low, for iron-sight use. A slightly higher comb positions the eye for scope use. But the comb can still be straight – no need for a hump or heel scallop!

generation to follow, and top new talent, from D’Darcy Echols and Gene Similion to Matthew Roberts, show the same artistic eye and marvelous workmanship.

But a fine rifle-stock is secondarily art. Its function is to bring the rifle’s barrel where you look so fast and seamlessly that “natural” is an understatement. A good stock almost thinks for you, bringing your hands forward, steadying the sight on target before aiming is a plan. Such a stock hides its ounces. On the carry, it makes the rifle feel lighter than is the case. It’s lively to cheek. Then, as the barrel hops and bobs, it summons those ounces to bring the whole to heel for the shot.

Stock-making is sorcery. You can explain away some of the magic of a well-proportioned stock with scales and tape—numbers that reflect your physical build and shooting style. But a stock that helps you hit defies pure arithmetic.

Shotgunners with tall stacks of coin enjoy the luxury of the try-gun, an adjustable assemblage of components swiveled, twisted, extended then snugged into an appendage unique to your torso. With the ministrations of a fitter in tweeds, a charge from a trygun actually built to fire would presumably home in on difficult targets, then, like a heat-seeking missile, reduce them to chips or feathers.

Most bird shooters, however, and nearly all big game hunters make do with “standard” stocks. A standard stock is like a standard shoe. Blessed is the shooter it fits.

In 1900 Savage advised customers lusting for its Model 1899 that “any deviation [from standard dimensions] requires the stock to be cut from the solid block by hand. This is expensive work and there is an extra charge of $10 …”

Closely, cleanly machined for drop-in fit, Bansner & Company makes fine stocks for a variety of rifles.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Evidently, few hunters could afford such indulgence, as factory-altered stocks on sporting rifles pre-dating WW I are exceedingly rare. To their credit, stock designers have since served hunters of wildly different shapes and sizes and shooting routines with stocks copied by the millions from a relative handful of patterns.

We humans are adaptable creatures, and develop habits to accommodate tools that don’t fit us. A hammer and a chain saw feel natural in my pork-chop paws. Surely people with smaller hands find them as familiar. By try-gun standards, my long arms beg a rifle stock with 14 1/4-inch length of pull. But I’ve become so accustomed to using stocks with a standard 13 5/8-inch trigger-to-butt measure, that a longer stock can feel strange. On the other hand, some features of standard stocks have annoyed me for decades. The heel of my hand crowds most comb noses. Steep grips cramp my hands and put trigger finger contact well behind the forward joint. I’m brow-banged by scopes attached by people with short arms, thick jowls and heavy pectorals. Another penalty imposed by short stocks: light shoulder contact that reduces control and hikes felt recoil.

A too-long stock slows gun mounting as you push it out so it doesn’t snag your jacket. It moves the rifle’s mass away from your body, where it’s harder to support. It slows bolt cycling as you stretch to lift and lock.

Stock designers must take into account not just various shooter physiques, but the clothing worn in different game fields. Hunters dress in thick layers and mittens for subzero waits in the north woods. A safari shirt may suffice in southern Africa. Sheep country brings

The slim, long, open grip and straight comb on this Bansner stock are handsome – and helpful afield.

The best machine-inletted synthetic stocks (here a Banser) match the fit once expected of hand inletting.

of one day using

my Boswell Custom to complete my North American Grand Slam. After applying for years I won the lottery and drew a California Bighorn tag in Oregon as a nonresident! My Boswell rifle was dependable and exceptionally accurate on this hunt of a lifetime. Steve is the best. His customer service is unmatched and

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

all types of weather, and quick changes. Expect to add or strip layers often! Shot angles there also vary more than on a whitetail stand or across sticks on a plains game hunt. Prone or firing uphill, your noggin tilts to the scope, reducing eye relief and imperiling your brow in recoil. Unless you crawl a stock, upright positions—kneeling and offhand—pull your eye from the sight. The sit most popular with hunters extends it further, compelling a forward lean to catch a full field of view.

Rifles pre-dating optical sights typically wore stocks with significant

drop (from bore-line) at the comb nose and heel. Extreme drop at heel inflicts pain at the shot, as the comb rotates up to whack you in the cheek. Sharp-ridged combs add anguish. Straight stocks, with minimal drop at comb and heel are less brutal, the rifle driving back with less muzzle lift. Then there’s pitch, or the angle of the butt to the bore. It’s measured by setting the butt flat on the floor, breech or receiver bridge against a wall. Wall-to-muzzle distance is the pitch. Because barrel length affects this measure, there’s no “proper” pitch value. Generous pitch makes a rifle point low. Less

pitch raises the muzzle. The best pitch is the one that brings the rifle on target soonest when you snap the rifle to shoulder.

Stocks for the masses have evolved away from classic form. Grips are steeper and thicker, combs tighter to the grip, forends wider and more angular. Pressed grip panels that replaced hand checkering to doom unfortunate walnut blanks in the 1960s have given way to neat, attractive machine-cut checkering.

Modifying a stock to improve fit and feel can make it more effective. But saws and rasps destroy the

Thank the AR-15 (here a Brenton) for the popularity of vertical grips. But more traditional grips allow hunters to shift the trigger hand slightly forward or back for better control in different shooting positions.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

stock as original equipment. While installing a recoil pad can add length if the stock’s butt is straight, a good fit isn’t easy. Slip-on rubber boots look and feel crude. Holstermaker Galco came up with a better solution. The adjustable cup of handsome Havana-brown leather fastens with a Velcro flap. On and off in a wink. No tools. Five sizes fit a range of butt-stocks. I have one on a Ruger 77, another on a Winchester 94 carbine. Need more than an additional ¾ inch? Insert a spacer before you slip the sleeve in place.

If your stock doesn’t fit – or if it’s of costly walnut you’d as soon not risk in air travel, on a horse or to un-caring hands, consider a second stock. McMillan is justly famous for its fiberglass stocks; but on mountain hunts, paring weight with Kevlar, graphite and/or carbon fiber makes sense. Stocks from H-S Precision and Bansner & Company combine woven fiberglass and CF around structural foam cores. H-S builds an alloy spine into the action well and barrel bed. Mark Bansner stiffens the core with epoxy resin. Available for popular bolt rifles, stocks by both companies are dropin-ready. Prices start at around $500. Recently, I installed a Bansner & Co. stock on a Remington 700 BDL Titanium action with a .30-06 barrel of standard contour. Dubbed the “Miller” after the eye-popping walnut stocks from the Arizona shop of the late David Miller, this stock has a straight comb with a sweeping cheek-piece. Its one-inch black Decelerator pad brings length of pull to the 13¾ inches I specified. “Clear” paint gives the stock surface a graphite look. Light black and tan “speckles” are evenly applied. Per Bansner’s policy, the barrel floats with 1/16-inch clearance all around. Receiver inletting lets the steel seat without pressure but snugly,

with no visible gaps on the sides. The 700 bottom metal has a sliver of clearance fore and aft for easy insertion.

Bansner & Co.’s Miller stock for Remington 700 and Winchester 70 rifles scales 20 ounces with pad, alloy pillars, and standard fill, though Mark pointed out that fill weights can be tweaked per customer spec. The Classic, for the M70 Winchester and ’98 Mauser, and the Sheep Hunter for Model 7 and 700 Remingtons, the 1500 Howa and Tikka T3x share its lean, conservative lines. There’s also an HVT for the Remington 700.

“We learned a great deal producing and improving High Tech stocks,” Mark told me. “In fact, we kept the mantra: ‘Lightweight and tough, but with style.’” He said Bansner stocks have the appealing shape of High Tech counterparts, but more refined detailing. His 35 years in stock design and manufacture have made them “stronger and lighter too.” He supplies Pro-Bed glassing compound with each Bansner stock. “You won’t need it for fit or strength. But many shooters believe they can’t wring all the accuracy from a rifle unless it’s glassed. And they’re often right.”

For hunting, inherent accuracy can matter less than handling that brings the rifle on target quickly and settles its quivers for unsupported shots. Pick up a broomstick. You’ll find it a snap to point. Straight, slender rifle stocks give you the same response. A stock that’s slightly short speeds aim, too, because you needn’t push the rifle forward to clear your coat. The comb should be just substantial enough to support your cheek as it comes into light contact, not so high and thick that you must press hard or cant your head to see the sight.

On Balance...

Balance is hard to describe. You feel it when it’s right. A slight tilt toward the muzzle limits recoil jump and helps settle sight jitters as you aim. Excess weight up front makes the rifle sluggish and tires you if a shot is delayed more than a few seconds. Rifle weight is best kept low between the hands. So the stock should help the rifle ride low. Tall forends and high scope mounts lift center of gravity. There’s no best weight. I’ve used stocks as light as 11 ounces – which belong on fly-weight rifles, lest the metal make the whole feel “tippy” in hand. Bansner & Co.’s 20-ounce stocks, like H-S models of similar form and the heavier but still slender McMillan on my Surgeon rifle in .260 are at once responsive and steady on target. The tally and distribution of ounces for each must be spot on! WS

The late Ray Wheeler shows the value of a steep, thick grip for a light hold and his prone rifle’s light trigger pull during a day-long match. Uniformity in position, shot to shot, is critical here.

TEAM HAS BEEN DEDICATED to getting it right for more than 20 years, something we prove every year by drawing some of the most coveted and competitive tags in the world.

$55 per state

$10 per species

EXAMPLES:

If you want to apply for Sheep in three states, your fee is $195. If you want to apply for Sheep, Mtn Goat, Elk, Deer, and Antelope in one state, your fee is $105.

$10 per drawing regardless of the amount of tickets purchased

As an added bonus, we will also apply your children under 18 for FREE in the states that you’re applying in as well as offer 50% off rates for your spouse and your children over 18.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Bansner’s Miller stock is nimble in hand; but shouldered, it’s instantly a steady beam that brings my face right behind the sight. Its long grip anchors my trigger hand without confining it; generous comb fluting swallows the heel of my palm. The slim, tapered forend, slightly broader across the belly than at the barrel channel, rides my hand toward the target. The rifle becomes an extension of eye and arm.

Near-vertical grips on hunting rifles and replacement stocks follow the popularity of AR-15 rifles, but they’ve long dominated in target rifle competition. Steep, full grips on prone and three-position rifles help steady the rifle with a light hand behind a light trigger. But that grip (like the equally beefy forend on match rifles) has no value beyond aiming and firing. A game rifle must be carried, then deployed quickly and used from a variety of shooting positions. A bulky stock resists the natural tipping, slipping and slight rotation of hand that permit the rifle to point itself. Next time you swing an ax or a golf club or flick a fly rod, imagine how it would feel if the handle were as thick as a target rifle’s forend!

Steep grips also lock your hand into one relationship with the trigger. A long, slender, open grip permits fore-and-aft movement needed to adapt your grip to the shooting position. It also accommodates a variety of hand sizes and shapes. Grips on AR15 rifles put my big hand too far forward; I must curl my finger like a scorpion’s tail to bring its first joint on the trigger. Because they’re typically fired prone over a bipod, long-range rifles have evolved with steep, thick grips ill-suited to catchas-catch-can shots afield. Sidemounted sling attachments and thick forends with a Picatinny or ARCA rail, or M-LOK slots, all but

nix traditional carry and sling use. To mollify the purveyor of rifles so stocked, I carried one for a week on a hunt. A surly burden, it gouged and scraped my back at every step, twisting at each trailbend to bang me with the scope. I shed it often, pining for a 1903 Mannlicher-Schoenauer in 6.5x54.

Legendary hunters, Sheldon to Selous, adored M-S carbines, lithe and light, with bolts that ran like oiled pistons. Their wand-like stocks brought sight to eye in a thrice, and sent bullets where you looked. What else would you want in ram country? WS

Jack O’Connor used his Biesen-stocked “No. 2” Model 70 .270 (here) for most of his hunts after 1960.

Want Wood?

Boyds Hardwood Gunstocks, of Mitchell, South Dakota furnishes replacement stocks “for 255 brands and 1,200 models of firearms,” said Dustin Knutson, head man at the 50,000-square-foot factory. Tractor-trailer loads of walnut and laminates arrive weekly from mills country-wide. I’ve installed Boyds stocks on rifles from five manufacturers and cheer their drop-in fit. Sales happen through a network of 100 dealers and a website that offers myriad options. “We list 11 shapes and 20 color combinations for Remington’s SPS alone,” Knutson smiled. “Customers specify stock material and length, laminate colors, recoil pad, checkering, grip cap, forend tip. Laminated stocks are top sellers now. Walnut accounts for 20 percent of orders.” OEM stocks for firearms manufacturers keep the Boyds crew busy, and prices modest. WSWS

Announcing the 2024 Fair-Chase Hunting & Conservation Award Winners

Pacific Islands

Savannah elephant Botswana 101 and 77 pounds

Robert Fortier

European roe deer

United Kingdom

Total score 6613/16

Mikkel V. Olesen

Rocky Mountain elk Arizona, USA

Total score 421

Rick Warren

The Rowland Ward Fair-Chase Hunting & Conservation Award is a solid silver medal given once a year by Dallas Safari Club and the Rowland Ward Foundation for an outstanding animal hunted under free-range, fair-chase conditions. One award is given for each of four regions: Africa, Americas, Asia and the Pacific Islands, and Europe.

To qualify, the animals must have been hunted in accordance with Rowland Ward’s Guiding Principles on Hunting and Conservation. The winner must be a strong supporter of conservation and sustainable hunting and exhibit exemplary ethics in the field.

For more details visit

BASECAMP DISPATCHES

Bryan Bartlett, NM Wild Sheep Foundation

BUILDING WATER, BUILDING HERDS: HOW STRATEGIC WATER PROJECTS MOVE DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP WITHOUT A HELICOPTER IN SIGHT

In much of the American Southwest, water is the difference between thriving wildlife and empty mountains. For desert bighorn sheep, whose survival depends on reliable access to scarce resources, a dry landscape can mean shrinking herds, limited movement, and lost genetic diversity. But thanks to a bold vision from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Socorro, New Mexico Field Office and the New Mexico Wild Sheep Foundation (NM WSF), as well as other partners, water is no longer the barrier it once was.

The project started with an ambitious goal: expand the range of the Ladrones Mountain desert bighorn herd in central New Mexico from just 10 miles to a sweeping 75-mile corridor. The route would take sheep south across U.S. Highway 60 into the Chupadera Mountains, then along the east side of the Magdalena range, down into the Devil’s Backbone and eventually on down to the San Mateo Mountain Range.

No helicopters. No drop nets. No dart guns. Just patience, partnerships, and carefully placed

water sources to make the journey possible.

A Simple Strategy for a Big Goal

Instead of capturing and transporting sheep, The BLM and NM WSF focused on letting the animals move themselves. The plan was simple but effective:

• Extend a safe movement corridor for bighorn sheep.

• Install reliable wildlife water sources in strategic locations.

• Improve and restore surrounding habitat.

• Reduce threats from predators

and human disturbance.

This approach hinged on a reality often overlooked: in arid climates, water is the anchor point for wildlife movement. A wellplaced, well-built water site can pull animals into new territory and keep them there.

From Idea to Action

The first step came in 2021 with the “La Caja” project in the Chupadera Mountains— chosen specifically for its distance from heavy recreation use. In partnership with the Socorro Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Water for Wildlife, and NM WSF, the site was completed in 2022 and earned the BLM Conservation Project of the Year Award for the entire Country.

From there, the work expanded:

• Los Ojos in the Polvadera Mountains (2023)

• Upper Blue in the southcentral Chupaderas (2024, awaiting more rain)

• Ladrone #2 complete rebuild (2024)

All three form part of the north-south corridor from the Ladrones—exactly where sheep need to travel.

What It Takes to Build

Water for Wildlife

Each site is a feat of engineering and volunteer grit:

• Two 1,800-gallon Boss tanks.

• A 1,000 sq. ft. metal rain collection platform.

• A large steel pipe fence cattle exclosure to keep cattle out.

• Full site restoration—done entirely by volunteers.

The work isn’t cheap. The

total cost for these three recent projects was $218,762, with the Wild Sheep Foundation contributing nearly half through Grant-in-Aid funding. Six additional organizations came together as partners, from hunting conservation groups and the BLM, each adding critical resources.

Results on the Ground

The payoff came quickly. Today, more than 50 desert bighorn sheep live south of U.S. Highway 60— territory they did not frequently reach safely before. In 2023, hunters filled three of five Ladrone area permits in the Chupaderas, with the remaining two taken in the Polvaderas.

And it’s not just bighorn sheep benefiting. Mule deer, elk, javelina, predators, and countless smaller species now have more access to more and better habitat and water.

A May 2024 volunteer survey in the Chupaderas recorded 50 sheep: 35 ewes, 10 lambs, and 5 rams—a healthy, growing population.

Challenges Ahead

The work isn’t done. Feral horses compete for water and degrade habitat. Recreation pressure from mountain bikers and off-leash dogs can disrupt sheep movement. Predators like cougars and coyotes remain a factor. And as housing developments push farther into wild country, preserving migration corridors will only get harder.

Why Funding Matters

This entire success story rests on one simple truth: water is life in the desert. Without the newly

built water collection systems, and protection from overuse, sheep would never have expanded their range naturally. Every mile gained was paid for in materials, labor, and vision.

For wildlife managers and conservationists, funding water projects isn’t just a nice idea, it’s the foundation for everything else. Habitat restoration, herd expansion, and species resilience all start with the same question: Can they get enough water to survive here?

In New Mexico’s arid mountains, the answer is now a resounding yes—thanks to the foresight of the Socorro BLM biologist, Carlos Madril, the NM Wild Sheep Foundation, the Wild Sheep Foundation, and a coalition of other partners who understood that sometimes, the simplest tools are the most powerful

Acknowledgements and Thanks

We would like to thank all organization partners involved in helping to complete these wildlife water development projects: The Wild Sheep Foundation, the BLM Socorro, NM Field Office, the NM Wild Sheep Foundation, the Southern New Mexico Chapter of SCI, the Water for Wildlife Foundation, RMEF and the NM Back Country Hunters and Anglers. Special thanks go to Mike Carpinito for his contribution to the La Caja Project and to 15 members of NM WSF who made personal contributions to the Upper Blue Project. WS

BASECAMP DISPATCHES

YOUR WILD SHEEP FOUNDATION’S 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

( IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY LAST NAME )

Attention WSF Members:

Soon, you will have the opportunity to exercise your right as a member to help us select three new directors for the WSF Board of Directors in an upcoming fall election. Three current directors’ terms expire on April 30, 2026. Candidates for the three open director positions were reviewed by the Director Candidate Evaluation Committee and approved by the Nominating Committee before being placed on the fall ballot. Candidate biographies are included here for your review. These will also be mailed and emailed to WSF members with their ballot

and will be on the WSF website. The 2025 election will include both email and paper ballots. Voting will open on October 15th and close on December 15th.

Successful candidates elected by the membership will serve a three-year term commencing May 1, 2026, and expiring April 30, 2029.

As a special thank you to all WSF members who vote in this fall 2025 election, our independent election vendor, YesElections, will randomly draw one name to win a $5,400 WSF Weatherby Argali Edition rifle package. Thank you for participating in this year’s election. Wild sheep matter. Your vote matters. WS

JANN DEMASKE

I was born into a hunting family in Wyoming and have called Colorado home since 1978. From an early age, I developed a passion for wildlife conservation, which continues to shape my life today. I earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Public Health from the University of Northern Colorado and began my career in occupational health before my husband and I launched several successful businesses in Northern Colorado. While raising our two daughters, I shifted my focus to family, community service, and what friends and family affectionately call “sheep stuff.”

I was appointed to the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) Board of Directors in 2020 and re-elected in 2022. I currently serve as secretary to the board and work on the Executive Committee.

I chair the Ladies Luncheon, Artemis Award, and 1Campfire Committees and also serve on the Conservation, Development, Marco Polo Society, <1 Club, and Youth Program Committees. In addition, I served six years on the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society (RMBS) Board, including four as secretary.

I am a life member of WSF, RMBS, the Marco Polo Society, Wild Sheep Society of BC, Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance, Texas Bighorn Society, numerous state WSF chapters and affiliates, Grand Slam Club Ovis, Dallas Safari Club, and Safari Club International. Beyond conservation, I volunteer actively with Timberline Church Windsor.

I bring energy, organizational experience, and deep commitment to WSF’s mission. It would be an honor to continue serving on the board of directors to help “Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®.” WS

CHARLIE KELLY

It has been an honor to serve on the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) Board of Directors, and I am grateful for the opportunity to seek a third and final term. Over the past five years, I have served as director, treasurer, vice chair, and now as chair. Together, we have achieved meaningful progress for wild sheep and for the strength of our organization.

As Development Committee Chair and Trustee of the Wild Sheep Legacy Foundation, I have helped guide our Endowment Fund to double in size, with a realistic path to reach $25 million by 2027—ensuring perpetual support for our Grant-In-Aid program. As CoChair of the Membership Committee, I was proud to see membership grow from 8,200 to more than 11,000 members, a 34% increase. Through the Operational Excellence Committee, we secured Platinum and 4-Star ratings from leading charity evaluators, strengthened staff training and team protocols, and significantly improved participation in board elections.

Looking ahead as chair, I am committed to our guiding mantra: “Moving the Needle for Wild Sheep.” My focus will be on five priorities: strengthening ties with chapters and affiliates, increasing conservation funding, preparing for the 2027 50th Anniversary Sheep Show®, maximizing board effectiveness, and advancing our “Telling Our Story” communications plan.

In addition, our board is finalizing an updated strategic plan to set direction for the next three, five and ten years. I would be honored to continue serving WSF and to help build on this momentum for the benefit of wild sheep everywhere. WS

KENN LOCH

Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” For me, that perfectly describes the sheep hunting experience—the thrill of drawing a tag, the anticipation before the hunt, and the incredible blessing of harvesting such a magnificent animal. Yet it also brings moments of doubt, exhaustion, and challenge. That balance is what makes sheep hunting so treasured, and it is why the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) and its chapters and affiliates are so vital to preserving this experience for generations to come. Professionally, I bring more than 30 years of leadership in the energy industry, specializing in global business development and mergers and acquisitions. My work has focused on aligning strategy with vision and driving results through high-performing teams. Since 2009, I have applied those skills to wildlife conservation, first as a member of the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) Board of Directors, where I later served as chairman. I also helped launch the MDF Greater Houston Chapter, coled it for several years, and currently chair the MDF National Endowment Fund Board of Trustees.

My passion for wild sheep led me to join the Texas Bighorn Society and the Wild Sheep Foundation, where I serve on the Membership Committee and Life Member Breakfast Committee. Encouraged by WSF leadership and my family, I am seeking election to the WSF Board of Directors. I am eager to bring my business experience, conservation commitment, and collaborative mindset to help advance WSF’s mission to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®” WS

LOGAN YOUNG

It has been a privilege to serve on the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) Board of Directors, and I am honored to seek re-election to continue advancing our mission to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®” Over the past term, I have worked alongside an exceptional team to achieve record fundraising, expand conservation programs, and strengthen the connection between hunting, outfitting, and stewardship.

My roots in wild sheep run deep. Born and raised in the Northern Rockies, I went on my first sheep hunt at age six and have attended the Sheep Show® every year of my life. I have been part of more than 100 successful sheep hunts and today co-own and operate Midnight Sun Outfitting in the Peel River Watershed of the Northern Yukon—one of North America’s most iconic wild sheep landscapes.

I hold a degree in Agricultural Business with minors in International, Applied, and Agricultural Economics from the University of Wyoming. As both a conservationist and outfitter, I bring a boots-on-the-ground perspective to the challenges our community faces.

Family is at the heart of my commitment. My wife Courtney and I, along with our children Luke and Hudson, continue a 40-year legacy of supporting WSF. Together, we have donated dozens of sheep hunts, including the first hunts that launched the <1 Club® and supported the Ladies Luncheon, Membership Drive, and Endowment Fund.

If re-elected, I will focus on strengthening revenue, enhancing conservation impact, and inspiring the next generation of wild sheep advocates. WS

BASECAMP DISPATCHES

NEW LIFE MEMBERS

NEW SUMMIT LIFE MEMBERS

2026 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE

Notice is hereby given for the 2026 Wild Sheep Foundation Annual Membership Meeting to be held Friday, January 23, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Room A1 of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

WE GIVE CAMPAIGN UPDATE

At the request of WSF supporters and consistent with the 2% for Conservation program of which WSF is a Founding Partner, we have launched the WSF Conservation Revolving Fund “We Give” campaign. Watch for WSF “We Give” partners who proudly include the “We Give” logo in their advertisements and/or promotions as those advertisers, exhibitors and businesses give a percentage or portion of their sales to the WSF Conservation Revolving Fund. 100% of WSF Conservation Revolving Fund contributions are directed to initiatives benefiting wild sheep and the habitat they call home.

Proceeds are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law and are directed to Grant In Aid and other specific conservation projects to Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain.

1. Jack Atcheson & Sons

2. The Journal of Mountain Hunting

3. The Wildlife Gallery

4. Backcountry BC and Beyond, Ltd.

5. Stone Glacier

6. RPS Bancard, LLC

7. YETI

8. SITKA Gear

9. Benchmade Knives

10. Kenetrek

11. Full Curl Spirits

12. RMP Rifles

13. 5.11 Tactical

14. Best of the West/Huskemaw Optics

15. Clarke—“1% For Tomorrow”

16. Brown Precision

17. Diamond Outfitters of Arizona

18. Black Rifle Coffee

19. Eventgroove

20. iHunt Apparel

This beastly T550 T4 V2 Bobcat Compact Track Loader comes fully equipped with comfort package, heavy duty bucket, pallet frame and forks, snow blade and block heater kit, making it an all-season, all-terrain workhorse. Whether you’re tackling cabin upgrades, clearing brush, lifting the heavy stuff, or dominating winter snow removal, this rugged setup handles it all like a champ. See our website for a full list of specifications. Built for power. Ready for anything.

1 for $100 | 6 for $500 | 15 for $1000 Only 1250 tickets will be sold. Package value: $85K!

CHAPTERS & AFFILIATES

NOTE: bold/italics font denotes a joint WSF membership Chapter/Affiliate. Membership in these chapters and affiliates include membership in Wild Sheep

FOR COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION GO TO: www.wildsheepfoundation.org/memberships/chapters-and-affiliates

CHAPTERS:

ALASKA WSF

Kevin Kehoe, President 907-441-6323 president@akwildsheep.org

Molly McCarthy-Cunfer, Executive Director 907-615-2104 executivedirector@akwildsheep.org

WSF ALBERTA

Mike Smith tel:403-700-7746 mike@wsfab.org www.wsfab.org

WSF ALBERTA Chapter Office

Deena Arychuk, Chapter Staff info@wsfab.org 403-845-5544

CALIFORNIA WSF

Donald C. Martin, President 310-766-3921 Don-martin@earthlink.net

CALIFORNIA WSF Chapter Office

Beverly Valdez, Chapter Staff 650-472-3889 forthesheep@gmail.com www.cawsf.org

EASTERN CHAPTER WSF

Henry Noss, President Noss-s.mt.redbones@olive.com 610-223-8798

EASTERN CHAPTER WSF

Chapter Office

Bill Carter, Office Manager info@ecwsf.org and bill@ecwsf.org 814-656-1831 www.ecwsf.org

IDAHO WSF

Triston Warner, President Live2hunt13@hotmail.com 208-604-2244

Tracy Rowley, Chapter Staff 208-345-6171 tracy@rtmmagt.com www.idahowildsheep.org

IOWA FNAWS

Craig Nakamoto, President 402-650-1383 nakamoto01@sbcglobal.net iowafnaws@gmail.com www.iowafnaws.org

WSF—MIDWEST CHAPTER Al Holland, President 651-492-2985 caholl@msn.com www.midwestwildsheep.com

WSF—MIDWEST CHAPTER

Mike Bouton, Executive Director 612-940-1979 mikeboutonmidwestwsf@gmail.com www.midwestwildsheep.com

MONTANA WSF

D.J. Berg, President 406-366-1849 dj@montanawsf.org Ty Stubblefield, Executive Director 406-696-3003 ty@montanawsf.org www.montanawsf.org

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

STUDENT CHAPTER OF WSF

Janessa Kluth, Chapter contact 208-420-4240 montanastatewsf@gmail.com facebook.com/MSUWSF

NEW MEXICO WSF

Bryan Bartlett, President (575) 635-3499 BartleBC@yahoo.com newmexicowildsheep@gmail.com

OREGON WSF

Kevin Martin, President (541)969-6744 Kevindmartin63@gmail.com www.oregonfnaws.org

SOUTHEASTERN WSF

Jesse Riggleman, President 919-358-4483 jlriggleman4@gmail.com

UTAH WSF

Travis Jenson, President 801-641-5453 tjenson@xmission.com www.utahwsf.org

UTAH WSF Admin

Hadli Sorenson, Executive Director 435-840-0786 hadlisorenson@gmail.com www.utahwsf.org

WASHINGTON WSF

Garrett Grant, President grant16garrett@hotmail.com www.washingtonwsf.org

WYOMING WSF

Bralli Clifford, President 307-438-2043 bralli@wyomingwildsheep.org

Wyoming WSF Chapter Office

Katie Cheesbrough, Executive Director 307-399-4383 katie@wyomingwildsheep.org www.wyomingwildsheep.org

YUKON WSF

Spencer Wallace, President 867-689-2074 yukonws@gmail.com www.yukonwsf.com

AFFILIATES:

2% For Conservation

Jared Frasier, Executive Director 406-221-3102 contact@fishandwildlife.org www.fishandwildlife.org

Alaska Professional Hunters Association

Deb Moore, Executive Director 907-929-0619 Deb@alaskaprohunter.org www.alaskaprohunter.org

Alberta Outfitters Association Kevin Stanton, President 403-762-5454 aoa@albertaoutfitters.com www.albertaoutfitters.com

Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Jeana Schuurmaan, Executive Director 780-414-0588 jeana@@apos.ab.ca www.apos.ab.ca

Argali Wildlife Research Center Bamgalanbaatar Sukh, Game Biologist and head of “Argali Wildlife Research Center” +976-99176580 amgalanbaatarsukh@gmail.com

Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Inc. Sam Gorton, President 480-285-7155 Samgoar15@hotmail.com admin@adbss.org

Association of Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters Tavis Molnar, President 867-633-4934 info@arcticred-nwt.com

Bear Trust International Logan Young, Executive Director 406-595-6583 logan@beartrust.org www.beartrust.org

Blackfeet Fish & Wildlife

Gerald “Buzz” Cobell, Director 406-338-7207 gcobell@blackfeetnation.com http://blackfeetfishandwildlife.net/ Cody Country Outfitters and Guides Association Lee Livingston 307-527-7416 Livingston@tctwest.net

Colorado Outfitters Association

Kelly Nottingham, Office Manager 970-824-2468 office@coloradooutfitters.com www.coloradooutffiters.org

Custodians of Professional Hunting & Conservation—South Africa Adri Kitshoff-Botha +27 0 83 6500442 ceo@cphc-sa.co.za www.thecustodians.co.za

Elko Bighorns Unlimited Cory Mahan, Vice President 775-397-4465 cmahan@ram-enterprise.com

European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) David Scallan 00353-879504563 David.scallan@face.eu www.face.eu

Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn Patrick Cummings, President Patrickcummings1002@gmail.com www.fraternityofthedesertbighorn.com

Fundacion De Vida Silvestre En Sonora, A.C Jacobo Artee, President 011-52-662-212-5510, 011-52-662-217-4119 jacoboartee@prodigy.net.mx

Grand Slam Club/Ovis Jason Price, Executive Director 903-466-2195 gsco@wildsheep.org www.wildsheep.org

Guide Outfitter Association of BC Scott Ellis, CEO 604-541-6332 ellis@goabc.org www.goabc.org

Ilbirs Fund

Zairbek Kubanjchbekov, Director +996 558271081 zkubanychbekov@ilbirs.com www.ilbirs.org

International Caribou Foundation

Cheryl Lind, Executive Director 406-404-1297 cheryl@internationalcariboufoundation.org www.internationalcariboufoundation.org International Professional Hunters’ Association Rob Kern, President 540-336-6359 rob@huntcon.com https://internationalprohunters.com/ Lubbock Sportsmans Club, Inc. Dan Boone, President 806-733-0590 dfb@sonoramfg.com

Mongolia Wildlife Association Magsarjac Erdenebat, Executive Director mongolwildlife@gmail.com

Montana Outfitter & Guides Association Will Israel, Executive Director 406-449-3578 info@mogamt.org www.montanaoutfitters.org

National Bighorn Sheep Center Amanda Verheul, Executive Director 307-455-3429 amanda@bighorn.org www.bighorn.org

Navajo Nation Department of Fish & Wildlife Jeff Cole, Wildlife Manager jcole@nndfw.org 928-871-6595

Nebraska Big Game Society Jim King (402) 430-6566 jim@glsbinc.com www.nebiggame.org

Nevada Bighorns Unlimited Evan McQuirk, DVM, President 775-224-5264 emcquirk@hotmail.com www.nevadabighornsunlimited.org

Nevada Bighorns Unlimited, Fallon Jay Lingenfelter, President jay.lingenfelter@cccomm.co 775-427-1254

Northern BC Guides Association Craig Kiselbach, President terminusmtn@gmail.com 250-442-7103

Northern Nevada SCI Chapter Gavin Chodera, President 916-960-8518 gchodera@nnsci.com www.nnsci.com

Northwest Guides & Outfitters Association

Colin Niemeyer, President 250-306-8624 hunting@kawdyoutfitters.com

Northwest Sportsman’s Club Nate Perrenoud 509-994-6795 www.northwestsportsmansclub.com

Purkersdorfer Jagdklub Gunther Tschabuschnig, Vice President 011-43-676-496-6691 info@jagdklub.eu www.jagdklub.eu

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

Donna Noel, Director of Natural Resources 775-574-0101 Ext: 17 www.plpt.nsn.us

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society Ben Ramaker (785)760-1374 benramaker@hotmail.com www.bighornsheep.org Terry Meyers, Executive Director 970-640-6892 meyers.terry@gmail.com

Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance Marvin Kwiatkowski, Chairman marvin@goatalliance.org www.goatalliance.org

Contact: Kendrick Chittock, Fundraising Coordinator kendrick@goatalliance.org info@goatalliance.org

Safari Club International 520-620-1220 info@safariclub.org www.safariclub.org

Sheep Hunters of the World (SHOW) Billi Carey, Administrator 480-292-1674 www.sheephunters.com

Shoshone & Arapaho Fish and Game Arthur Lawson, Director lawson@windriverfishandgame.com www.windriverfishandgame.com Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep Steve Marschke, President 310-339-4677 info@sheepsociety.com www.desertbighorn.org

Spanish Professional Hunters Association Bruno Rosich 346-559-01611 Bruno@TrophyHuntingSpain.com www.spanishprofessionalhunters.com

Tahltan Guide Outfitters Association Rudy Day, President 250-235-3395 Dayrudy84@gmail.com

Taos Pueblo

Michael Martinez, Hunt Manager 575-758-7410 hunting@taospueblo.com

Texas Bighorn Society Clay Brewer, President 325-792-4177 Claybrewer1@outlook.com www.texasbighornsociety.org

TBS Administrator Page Carter, Office Admin O: 806-745-7783 C: 806-759-8257 page@texasbighornsociety.org

The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon (CTWS) Camille Brooks 541-553-2029 Camille.brooks@ctwsbnr.org https://warmsprings-nsn.gov

The International Council of Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) Sebastian Winkler office@cic-wildlife.org https://www.cic-wildlife.org/ Wildlife Stewardship Council John Henderson, President sirjohn55@gmail.com wildlifestewarship@gmail.com www.wildlifestewardshipcouncil.com

Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia Greg Rensmaag, President 604-209-4543 Rensmaag_greg@hotmail.com

Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia Office & Staff

Kyle Stelter, CEO 250-619-8415 kylestelter@gmail.com www.wildsheepsociety.com

Hana Erikson, Executive Assistant 604-690-9555 exec@wildsheepsociety.com

Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association Jeff Smith, President 307-265-2376 wyoga@wyoga.org www.wyoga.org

Yukon Outfitters Association Mac Watson, President 867-668-4118 (Office) info@yukonoutfitters.net www.yukonoutfitters.net

Yukon Outfitters Association Staff Shawn Wasel, Executive Director 780-213-4301 (Cell) swasel@mcsnet.ca Brenda Stehelin, Office Manager info@yukonoutfitters.net

TECHNICAL/ ADVISORY AFFILIATES:

Northern Wild Sheep and Goat Council

Kevin Hurley, Executive Director 307-899-9375 info@nwsgc.org www.nwsgc.org

Desert Bighorn Council

Patrick Cummings, Chair Nevada Department of Wildlife (Retired) (702) 486-5127 patrickcummings1002@gmail.com www.desertbighorncouncil.com

Photo Credit: David Wetzel

Find peace of mind when hunting with an African Dawn Outfitter

free travel through Jo’burg & Cape Town

If you are serious about hunting in Africa, SIGN UP to Africa’s Greatest Hunting Magazine.

Promoting hunting in Africa

A-Z, one-point-of contact after your hunt, taking responsibility of your trophies, until they are home.

CHAPTERS & AFFILIATES

2026 BANQUET DATES

NOTE: Dates noted are as of press time. Please check C&A websites for updates.

Sheep Week® .................................January 19-24 ...................... Reno, NV

Sheep Show®..................................January 21-24

Icons of Conservation Gala ...... April 29-May 1 ........ New Orleans, LA Roosevelt Hotel

WSF Thinhorn Summit IV May 5-7 Prince George, BC WSF C&A Summit XVIII .................. May 14-16 ... Grand Junction, CO

WSSBC Jurassic Classic ..................... Aug 21-23 ............. Chilliwack, BC

WSF CHAPTERS:

Chapter

Date

Location

Alaska WSF April 10-11 Anchorage, AK

California WSF April 25 TBD

Eastern Chapter WSF ....................................... Feb 27-28 ............................... Lancaster, PA

Idaho WSF ............................................................ March 21 ....................................... Boise, ID

Iowa FNAWS March 20-21 Des Moines, IA

Midwest Chapter WSF March 20-21 Minnetonka, MN

Montana WSF March 6-7 Bozeman, MT

New Mexico WSF .......................................... Raffle Only

Oregon WSF.......................................................... April 25 ...................................... Bend, OR

Southeastern Chapter WSF TBD TBD

Utah WSF March 21 Salt Lake City, UT

Washington WSF ................................................ March 14 ................................ Tacoma, WA

WSF Alberta ...................................................... March 6-7 ............................... Red Deer, AB

WSF Alberta—Yellowhead April Edson, AB

Wyoming WSF June 5-6 Casper, WY

Yukon WSF................................................................... TBD

WSF AFFILIATES:

Affiliate

Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society May 9 Scottsdale, AZ

Elko Bighorns Unlimited ............................................ TBD

Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn .............. May 17 TBD ............................. Las Vegas, NV

National Bighorn Sheep Center July 3 - Anniversary Dubois, WY Nov 1—Big Horn Bash

Nebraska Big Game Society ............................ March 20 ................................. Lincoln, NE

Nevada Bighorns Unlimited .................................. April 3 .....................................Reno, NV

Nevada Bighorns Unlimited - Fallon TBD Fallon, NV

Nevada Bighorns Unlimited - Midas TBD Midas, NV

Northern Nevada SCI Chapter ............................... TBD .....................................Reno, NV

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society ................ April 17-18 ............................. Loveland, CO

Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance

Society for the Consv. of Bighorn Sheep N/A

Texas Bighorn Society June 6 San Antonio, TX

Wild Sheep Society of BC—Northern ............... Jan 31 ................... Dawson Creek, BC

WS Society of BC – Salute to Conservation... Feb 27-28.................................. Penticton, BC

NOTE: No date listed = Date not yet determined or provided by C&A

X-BOLT 2 SPEED RIFLE

Browning redefines Total Accuracy yet again with the new X-Bolt 2 and Vari-Tech stock. This new stock design is engineered with three-way adjustment that allows you to customize the fit of the rifle to meet your specific needs, helping you achieve consistent, tack-driving performance while retaining the silhouette of a traditional rifle stock.

GRIP ANGLE

LENgth of pull

Internal spacers lock in length of pull. Adjustable from 13-5/8" to 14-5/8" right from the box, this system is sturdy and rattle free.

Two interchangable grip modules are available for the Vari-Tech stock: The traditional Sporter profile and the Vertical profile. Both let you optimize finger-to-trigger reach and control.

Achieve consistent eye-to-scope alignment and a rock-solid cheek weld even with large objective lens optics. Six height positions offer 1" of height adjustment. COMB HEIGHT

HUNT®

by Renée Thornton Founder and Chair, Women Hunt®

CELEBRATING WOMEN IN HUNTING

Last year saw the launch of our Women in Hunting® community, a subset of the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Women Hunt program. We celebrated with 1000+ of our Sheep Show® friends at the inaugural Beer & Bubbly Social Hour, sponsored by the New Mexico Wild Sheep Foundation.

We received over 300 story and photo submissions from women of all ages highlighting what they love to do most in the outdoors. Each one was entered into free drawings for fabulous prizes from our partners at Weatherby, the Peppermill, Twisted North Design, Nocona, and the

GENEVIEVE ROSE WIESE

I have been instilled with a deep love for the outdoors by my family. Together, we’ve spent countless days in the backcountry, exploring nature and sharing the unique bond that only a parent and child can. Our hunting trips have been more than just a pursuit of game— they have been opportunities for learning, patience, and respect for wildlife.

Through these shared adventures, I have not only learned the technical aspects of hunting, but also the values of respect, conservation, and stewardship of the land. My experiences in the field have developed a strong understanding of the delicate balance between humans and nature—lessons that will shape my

members of the Women Hunt committee.

In this issue of Wild Sheep, we’re featuring mountain hunting stories

life for years to come. With each hunt, I gain a deeper understanding of the land, the animals, and the values that come with ethical hunting practices.

from four very different women. To enjoy more of our community’s submissions, join the rest of our followers on Instagram and Facebook and check out the stories every #womenhuntwednesday.

To join our Women in Hunting community and a chance to win even more fantastic prizes, check out the sidebar in this article for details. We hope to see all of you in the mountains and fields and streams, and good hunting to those of you heading out this season! WS — Renée Thornton, Founder & Chair (Note: stories have been edited for clarity and brevity.)

From tracking to shot placement, from field dressing to cooking my harvest, I’ve embraced the full spectrum of hunting as both a skill and a responsibility. More than just knowledge, I’ve learned the importance of safety, responsibility, perseverance, and grit. These qualities have nurtured my growing skills, determination, and selfconfidence. Every challenge faced in the backcountry—whether harsh weather or a difficult shot—has only strengthened my confidence. I have successfully taken several big game animals, including Sitka blacktail deer, black bear, Dall’s sheep, and moose. Each achievement marks not just a trophy, but a personal milestone in my journey as a young hunter. With caribou, coastal brown bear, and

mountain goat now on my horizon, I continue to aim higher, my excitement for the hunt and respect for the animals growing with each new challenge.

Hunting has given me the chance to connect with nature in a way that few people my age have experienced. It has taught me about animal behavior, how ecosystems thrive, and

NIKI SPALDING

There’s something so special about helping facilitate someone’s hunt-of-a-lifetime. Over the past four years, I’ve been blessed to do just that, working as a wrangler at various sheep hunting outfits in northern British Columbia and the Yukon. I always tell people it’s the best job in the world—but probably not one most would want.

It takes a special kind of person to wake up hours before the sun rises and head into thick grizzly country, desperate to hear any sound that resembles a horse bell. Once the horses are back in camp—hopefully not too many hours later—it’s time to saddle up, stuff some sort of breakfast into your mouth, and get on the sheep trail. You never know how long a day might be. Some days, we spot the sheep at 1 p.m., clear across the valley on the tippy top of the highest mountain in the range. Then we make a play, trying to get a clean shot just minutes before legal shooting light ends. But the work isn’t over. We spend the night processing and packing the ram off slopes most people wouldn’t dream of scaling in daylight—let

how every hunter must also be a steward of the environment. Most importantly, hunting has deepened my bond with my family. It has created moments of shared joy, quiet reflection, and mutual pride, along with many personal challenges. These experiences, passed down from generation to generation, have strengthened our connection to one another and to

the wild places we love. Together, we’ve built a legacy of respect for nature and a shared passion for responsible hunting that will carry forward to future generations. For me, these moments are more than just memories—they are lessons in life, responsibility, and the timeless connection between humans and the natural world. WS

alone with a 70-pound pack. What a relief it is to finally get back to the horses! As the wrangler, I climb on my barely broke threeyear-old and hang on for dear life as he jumps everything in his path, trailing home under the stars.

It’s not the job for everyone, but it’s the job for me—the only one I’ve stuck with for years. Thanks

to wrangling and the amazing guides I’ve been paired with, I’m proud to say I’m now a hunter myself and even got my first buck last year. Not too shabby for an ex-city gal! I’m already excited for next season and forever grateful to work a job I truly love. WS

WOMEN HUNT®

MEGAN DUNCAN

Back in 2022, I was a vegan and an all-natural bodybuilder, and the thought of hunting was as foreign to me as eating meat itself. I had been vegetarian and vegan for over a decade, mostly because I believed that if I wasn’t willing to hunt my own meat, I shouldn’t be eating it. It seemed like a fair trade-off.

Then I met a New Zealand hunting outfitter. I couldn’t believe it—and neither could my friends or family. Coming from Scotland, I had never met a hunter in my life. Hunting wasn’t part of my world. But when I moved to New Zealand, it felt like every other person—and their dog—was heading for the hills. Before I knew it, I was tagging along with mine.

In April 2024, I went on my first red stag hunt during the roar—a

ANGEL PENOLA-EDGAR

My name is Angel Penola-Edgar. I’m a 56-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother, born and raised in Northern Nevada. That’s where my love for the outdoors and hunting began. I was fortunate to go on my first sheep hunt in Wyoming with my father when I was just 17. Being an outdoors woman has been a huge part of who I am ever since.

I married well—my husband shares the same passion for hunting and conservation. Together, we have two daughters and a son who also love the outdoors, hunting, and conservation. I’m confident their passion will continue through the generations. We even have a four-year-old grandson who has been bouncing around in the hills

mix of nerves, adrenaline, and awe. It was an experience I’ll never forget. By July, I found myself in the high alpine terrain, taking on the challenge of a bull tahr hunt. Each step of the journey felt transformative, grounding, and strangely natural.

Now, here I am—from vegan to hunter—sharing my story with you. It’s been a humbling and eyeopening adventure that’s taught me respect for the land, the animals, and the process itself. Who knew falling in love with a hunter would lead me to fall in love with the hunt?

If you see me wandering the Sheep Show® looking equal parts excited and bewildered, feel free to say hi. I’d love to hear your story too! WS

• Pure Precision Sklton Action

• Cut-rifle Carbon Barrel

• Proprietary IN-RUT Carbon Fiber Stock

• Match grade Adjustable Trigger

Our lightest gun ever! custom built to your specifications.

The IN-RUT, Full-Curl Lightweight is a handmade firearm of the absolute highest-quality. Built with today’s sheep hunter in mind this custom rifle is our lightest gun ever. Hand built “one by one” in the historic Black Hills of South Dakota this rifle features a Pure Precision, Sklton action standard with a “cut-rifle” carbon barrel, custom chamber and recessed target crown. The barrel is pillar glass bedded into a proprietary IN-RUT carbon fiber stock, weighing in at only 1.2 lbs.

“MY IN-RUT RIFLE IS THE FINEST, MOST ACCURATE RIFLE I HAVE EVER OWNED OR SHOT, PERIOD!” -N. Guy Eastman

WOMEN HUNT®

since day one. I can’t wait to show him what a wonderful, adventurous life can be lived outdoors among wildlife.

Over the years, I’ve hunted from the deserts of Southern Nevada all the way to the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains in the Northwest Territories. I’m

currently working on completing my second FNAWS. We’ve also purchased heritage tags and built multiple big game guzzlers right here in our home state of Nevada.

Along the way, we’ve met so many great people and made lifelong friends. It makes me incredibly happy to see more

women involved in hunting, outdoor activities, and conservation. My message to any woman out there is this: my door is always open. Whether you need a hunting partner or just want to go for a ride in the hills, I’m here. Some of the most beautiful places to see are closer than we think. WS

JOIN THE WOMEN IN HUNTING COMMUNITY!

Enter now! Open to women of all ages, and to the men who want to brag on the ladies in their lives!

Join the Women in Hunting community by uploading your photos and short story doing what you love in the outdoors (hunting, shooting, scouting, fishing, camping, hiking, cooking game meat, working on a wildlife conservation

project, anything that aligns with our shared love of wildlife and the wild places they inhabit!)

Deadline is December 8, 2025, to be entered to win one of our spectacular prizes and have your photos featured at the 2026 Sheep Show® on the big screens in the Tuscany Ballroom foyer during our Beer & Bubbly Social Hour, held Thursday evening from 5-6 pm.WS

2026 PRIZES

• Weatherby Rifle (must be present to win)

• Weatherby Shotgun (need not be present to win)

• Mathews Bow (must be present to win)

• Fur, Jewelry, Handbag and Spa Package (need not be present to win)

Meet the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Women Hunt® and RMBLF Committees: Bios and photos at: www.wildsheepfoundation.org/about/ women-hunt-committee

Women Hunt® wants to hear from you!

https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/womenhunt womenhunt@wildsheepfoundation.org @womenhunt @women_hunt

sincere appreciation to Bernie Fiedeldey and the “1 MORE FOR 4” participants for making this drawing and hunt of a lifetime possible!

Tonya & Darin Fiedeldey, Darryl Sword and Rob Kopecky

CULINARY CORNER

by Joshua Schwencke WSF & Women Hunt® Executive Chef in Residence

BLISTERED CITRUS SOUR & THE SPIRIT OF CONSERVATION

Writing about wild game, processing, and how to make your harvest delicious is only part of the work I’m honored to do with the Wild Sheep Foundation. Another large part is showcasing our incredible partners—those who not only stand with us at Sheep Show® but offer unwavering support in the mission to return and keep sheep on the mountain.

Full Curl Brands are exactly that kind of partner—a company with hunting and conservation at the core of everything they do. If you’ve ever met Rob Gerstner, you’ve seen that passion firsthand.

It’s that exact passion that started in the mountains. After the not-soeasy task of successfully hunting all four species of North American wild sheep, Rob forged the dream that became Full Curl Brands. Both endeavors required the tenacity and dedication that only a sheep hunter truly understands.

At the wild game dinners I’m honored to cook for, Full Curl regularly makes a cameo—not just to support my dear friend Rob’s dream, but because it consistently produces some of the best cocktails I’ve ever served. My clients, all hunters themselves, appreciate more than just the flavor and aesthetics—they value the contribution to a lifestyle we all fight to preserve.

Quality demands that same spirit. Every drop of Full Curl Whiskey is made with intention, starting with the best water possible. Rob often

says, “Great water produces great whiskey.” That principle led him to Kentucky—where limestone springs form the literal bedrock of this beloved spirit.

But the dream didn’t end with

flavor. Rob knew that honoring the animals he built his brand around required a commitment to conservation—and conservation requires funding. The beauty of the brand doesn’t stop with the artistry

Full Curl Blistered Citrus Sour

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon

• 1 lime

• 1 orange

• 4 oz Full Curl Whiskey or Rye

• 1 oz raw honey syrup (1:1 honey to warm water)

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters (optional, but pairs beautifully with smoke)

• Ice

• Charred citrus wheel, for garnish

• Smoked salt (optional)

of the bottle or the quality of what’s inside. With every purchase of Full Curl, a portion goes directly back to wild sheep conservation.

If you’ve spent any time at the Full Curl booth during Sheep Show®, you’ve no doubt sampled their beautifully crafted spirits. The booth has become a beacon for bourbon and rye lovers during Sheep Week®, who are often surprised to discover the brand’s full range—21 spirits in total. From their basil vodka (perfect for a Sheep Camp Bloody Mary) to the Elysian Gin that forms the base of an exceptional martini, their flavor profiles are as diverse as the sheep they help protect.

As for me, I’m a rye lover. Aromatic, full-bodied, and perfectly balanced, Full Curl’s 9-Year Rye

Instructions:

Scan here for the Mountain to Plate Video Series with Chef Josh Schwencke

1. Blister the Citrus

For a stronger smoky flavor, halve the citrus before charring. For a milder, cleaner drink, leave fruit whole. Toss the fruit directly into red-hot coals. Rotate occasionally until the skins are blistered and blackened—about 4–6 minutes. The fruit should feel softened but not collapsed. Let cool slightly.

2. Juice and Strain

Juice the citrus into a shaker (you should yield about 3 oz total). Strain out seeds and any large charred bits.

3. Build the Cocktail

Add the citrus juice, Full Curl Whiskey or Rye, honey syrup, bitters, and ice into the shaker. Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds.

4. Serve and Enjoy

Strain over fresh ice or a large ice cube into a rocks glass. Garnish with a charred orange wheel and a pinch of smoked salt. Sit back, sip, and know your drink just helped keep sheep on the mountain.

remains my go-to. It often finds its way into an old fashioned or is simply enjoyed over ice. It offers the richness of rye without the heat that so often accompanies younger whiskeys. It’s been the centerpiece of many a South Texas deer campfire.

Of course, one of the great tests of any spirit is how well it blends. A whiskey—or any liquor—isn’t just for sipping neat; its versatility in cocktails is where real creativity lives. Full Curl passes that test, too. One of our most popular menu features at Gastronomy Outdoors is the Full Curl Blistered Citrus Sour. It’s bright, smoky, and layered—a perfect complement to our proteinforward meals. The show begins at the fire: halved oranges, lemons,

and limes tossed straight onto redhot coals. The flames caramelize and char the fruit, enhancing their natural sugars and lending a complex smokiness to the cocktail.

Yes, you’ll even catch a little ash in the final pour. That grit is part of the experience. To reduce it, char the fruit whole and slice it afterward—this minimizes the surface area exposed to direct flame.

Full Curl is currently available in 46 out of 50 states—and that number keeps growing. To explore their full lineup, order your own bottle, or learn more about their mission, visit www.fullcurlbrands. com. Every sip, shake, and pour is a toast to conservation. WS

CONSERVATION EDUCATION

by Ryan Brock, Ph.D. WSF Youth Education Coordinator

FROM INTRODUCING YOUTH TO THE OUTDOORS TO THEIR FIRST HUNT

This past fiscal year our Shooting, Hunting & Ethics Education Program (S.H.E.E.P.) was a part of inspiring the next generation in 111 youth events, of all various kinds and sizes. Some events focused on introducing kids to the outdoors, conservation, and the shooting sports, while others targeted a smaller number of youth for more in-depth and enriching experiences involving first-time hunts.

The Nevada Outdoor Experience is one of our introductory events, which has taken place in Carson City, Nevada in June for the past decade. This year 32 different organizations were involved in igniting passions in the 276 youth who attended. From trap shooting and archery, to conservation, trapping, gold panning, and metal detecting, this event had it all. Although the Wild Sheep Foundation fully organized and paid for the event, extra funding for this event came from The NRA Foundation and Nevada Bighorns Unlimited. Of those youth who attended the event this year, 48% had never shot a BB gun or firearm before attending the event. Additionally, 31% had never gone fishing, 22% had never camped, and 59% had never shot a bow. This event introduced all of these concepts, among others.

For youth ready to take the next step, we offered a few youth hunts for those who were new to hunting or hadn’t ever hunted

before. Two experiences took youth on wild pig hunts in Texas where also two whitetails where shot. A youth pheasant hunt in California allowed participants to shoot trap and then use dogs to flush birds and try their luck with a shotgun. A summer experience took youth to harvest their first big game animal near Shandon, California. Two used rifles to pursue exotic sheep and an exotic goat while a third harvested with his bow for the first time. Two other youth, not quite ready for a hunt, tagged along for the experience while one mother also experienced a hunt for the first time as a bystander.

We participated in a new event this summer in Thermopolis, Wyoming. The Wyoming Discovery Days was a two day event that allowed us to focus on educating about wild sheep and the conservation efforts that take place to help them prosper.

This past year the S.H.E.E.P. was involved with educating and inspiring over 24,100 youth across the United States and Canada. Since its inception in 2012, the program has impacted over 145,000 kids of all ages.

Partnering with the National Bighorn Sheep Center

The past few years our youth education has increased partnership with the National Bighorn Sheep Center (NBSC), a non-profit interpretive center in Dubois, Wyoming.

This past year alone, the partnership helped the NBSC educate over 13,000 youth in six different states with 17 different events. Beyond these events, the Center focuses on a variety of aspects to educate both youth and adults. The National Bighorn Sheep Center (NBSC) in Dubois engages youth and communities in bighorn sheep conservation through diverse, hands-on programs.

Camp Bighorn is a five-day summer camp for ages 9-12, first held in 2019 at Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp, which hosts about 30 youth from about

an average of 10 different states. Activities include trekking Torrey Rim, kayaking, field journaling, archery, and studying water ecology, all which inspire a connection to bighorn sheep and their habitat.

Internship: In partnership with University of Wyoming, this program offers hands-on experience in conservation, retail, museum management, and nonprofit administration. Interns have ample opportunity to shadow and work with professionals in the field from agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Educational Outreach: NBSC provides ecotours, traveling educational trunks, and customized in-person tours with activities and films. Trunks, shipped free across the contiguous U.S. via partners like the Wild Sheep Foundation,

include videos and Zoom-guided museum tours for an immersive bighorn sheep learning experience.

Citizen-Science Initiative: The Dubois Invasive Species Watch uses the iNaturalist app to track invasive plants around Dubois, supporting habitat management for bighorn sheep in the Whiskey Basin area. Participants upload observations to aid real-time habitat conservation.

Wild Sheep Webinar Series: Free bimonthly webinars feature experts discussing wild sheep, conservation, and wildlife diseases. Archived sessions since 2021 are available online.

With a strong impact in the past year, the National Bighorn Sheep Center invites partnerships to amplify its mission. Contact them for resources and collaboration opportunities to inspire the next generation in conservation. WS

SHEEP SHORTS

by Barbara Sackman

HUNTING SPAIN AND TAJIKISTAN

We started off on November 10th for Spain to relax and shoot driven partridge with our good friends the Smiths and the Bates. November 11th was Barb’s birthday, and we would celebrate at the home of Joelle and Francisco Rossich (Outfitter-Hunt Trip Spain) whom we were hunting with. We enjoyed a great dinner with lots of wine, Spanish ham and many stories and laughs (and a surprise

gift for Barb).

Our plan was to spend one week in Spain for birds and then off to Tajikistan. As we were traveling through several countries, we decided not to travel with our guns, but to use the outfitter’s guns. Barb did fine on the bird shoot with a borrowed 28 gauge, but I still have black and blue marks from the 12 gauge that I used. In the future we will plan a little differently.

The week in Spain was so enjoyable! Alain Smith brought his guitar and entertained us all in the evening, Joelle organized a caviar presentation one evening and an oyster feast the following afternoon. We all loved the caviar and oysters! On the bird hunting front, we did miss a lot of birds. Our kill ratio was about 40%. But on the bright side, I told Barb that we saved a lot of money on those misses!

Photo: Duncan Gilcrest

On Sunday November 17th, we boarded Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and then on to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Turkish Airlines had overbooked the flight to Dushanbe and we got bumped out of our premium seats for a credit and sardine ride—not the greatest flight, but we had no choice. We arrived at Dushanbe at 1:30 a.m. and were escorted to the VIP lounge— which was a nice and unexpected welcome organized by our outfitter Vladimir Treschoff with whom we have had several previous hunts with. We booked primarily for Barb to go for the Bukhara markhor and a urial. We got our luggage by 2:30 a.m. and made our way to the Hilton hotel—about a five minute drive. We decided to stay in town for the day and depart on our four-hour drive the following day.

We arrived the next morning at a local town that ended up being about 50 minutes from the markhor hunting area. Our accommodations were in an old railroad station—a beautiful building, but no railroad. The rooms were good and the food was satisfying.

On the first day we saw five male markhor amongst the cliffs and about 350-400 yards away. Barb went about a quarter mile down

to the cliff’s edge and missed one at 350 yards. The local guide was upset and insisted that we check the gun for accuracy. This proved to be a good idea as it shot to the right four inches at 100 yards.

The next day we sat in the car for eight hours due to rain and fog. It was decided that the following day we would wait at the hotel (train station) until we heard from our guides in the mountains indicating when the weather was cooperating. We got a call at approximately 8:30 a.m. that we should head out. As we drove the 50 minutes to the hunting area, we would pass a check point where our passports were required for inspection. Our driver and local organizer Temur Lokhibkepov, managed this check point for us as we were hunting near the Afghan border.

Upon arriving at the hunting area, the local guides said they had spotted a good markhor in a valley only five yards from the river. Barb went down the ridgeline about a quarter mile and made a good shot at 328 yards—she had her markhor. The guides retrieved the markhor and took droves of photos—everyone wanted photos! We then loaded up and drove back

to the “train station”, had lunch, packed up and headed back to the Dushanbe Hilton hotel.

Temur advised us to be ready to leave the next morning at 5:00 a.m. to go to the urial hunting area. At pre-dawn we loaded up and drove two hours west to pick up our local guides and to go to the “rolling hills” as Vladimir described the area to Barb. Well, upon arrival we could see that “rolling hills” do not exist, but mountains DO. The local guide provided Barb with a donkey. Barb had no idea how long it might take to get to the summit on foot, but on the donkey it took 1.5 hours to reach the top.

The mountain guides—four men, said that they saw four sheep that morning and two of them were headed in the direction of where Barb and her guide were.

After about twenty minutes of hiking, the guide spotted a urial on a rock ledge at 318 yards. Barb got set and made the shot. Everyone said it was a good shot, only to discover that the urial was not there when they went to collect it. They did however see a lot of blood that they tracked and found that he fell in a deep ravine and was dead. They needed a rope to retrieve him and no one had a rope. One of the guides had to go back to the village to get a rope and return—this took all afternoon. They finally all returned to the village with Barb’s trophy at about 5:30 p.m. It was a good old ram, broomed on one side, 27 x29 and a heavy SCI score of 124.5 November 23rd thus ended our hunt in Tajikistan. Now back to Dushanbe to spend a couple days sightseeing and shopping as our flight to Istanbul wasn’t until 3:00 a.m. Monday, November 25th. Barb was very happy to have a successful trip and be able to leave in enough time to join our daughter, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in Florida for a Thanksgiving celebration. WS

SHEEP SHORTS

by Natalie Saar

GRIZZLIES, GUTS, AND GRANOLA BARS

I’ve had quite the start to my hunting career for a 13-year-old. If you asked me a few years ago when I thought I’d shoot my first sheep, I probably would’ve said my twenties. But wow—if that younger version of me could see me now, she wouldn’t believe it.

It was the end of July, and I was sitting at the table eating toast when I suddenly remembered my cousin asking what tags I drew this year. “Dad, what tags did I get?” I asked, mouth half full.

Dad paused. Mom flashed the biggest smile I’d ever seen.

“You must have an imaginary horseshoe somewhere,” dad said. “You drew a 438 sheep tag.”

I froze. Then smiled so hard it felt permanent. I didn’t know exactly what that meant, but the look on their faces said it was something big.

Dad explained: Zone 438, south of Hinton, Alberta, near Cadomin, is special. Most Alberta bighorn seasons end in October—but this zone has a November season, split into three 10-day windows, with only five tags awarded per window. About 2,000 people apply for each. A 0.02% chance of drawing.

Soon, dad and I were packing for the hunt and heading to Cadomin. We stayed in a little motel and spent the first two days

hiking “Tower,” a steep route through mining country and into the hunting zone. On day one, the sun briefly warmed the basin before vanishing again, and I clung to every warm minute I

could find. We saw sheep—lots of them—in the mining zone, but none where it actually mattered. A ewe and two small rams eventually appeared in the legal area, which was a small win.

Photo: Duncan Gilcrest

Day two was colder, windier. More sheep in the mining zone, but nothing legal. I kept telling myself to be patient—but it was hard, hiking up in a sweat only to sit freezing for hours. I won’t pretend it was easy. It wasn’t. But I pushed through—and I’m proud of that.

On day three, we took a break and drove to Jasper to see some park rams. Seeing those big boys with their ewes by the roadside definitely boosted morale. We watched them eat and butt heads. That evening, I reminded myself: no matter how hard the next day was, I’d try. This was my first sheep hunt. I wasn’t about to give up.

The next morning was brutally cold. Not just the air—windchill, sharp and mean, like cold sandpaper across my cheeks. On the way up, we spotted a bigger ram pestering some ewes. He looked amazing. I wanted to shoot a sheep so badly.

Eventually, we made it into the basin and decided to hunker in the trees. We found an old fire pit and took turns watching for sheep and feeding the fire. Just as dad left to grab more wood, everything changed.

He came rushing in, frantic: “Grab the thing!”—the trekking pole/shooting stick—as he grabbed the rifle. I scrambled after him. “What?” I asked. He pointed across the bowl: a bighorn ram was making its way up a trail.

I nearly gagged from excitement. My heart pounded as we tried to find a flat shooting spot. But the ram was moving fast. Too far. We moved again—ran, really—until dad found a cube-shaped rock. I sat, aimed. The ram paused at about 300 yards.

Dad whispered, “If you’re steady and he stops—take the shot.”

I took a deep breath, settled the crosshairs, and fired. BOOM.

The ram dropped immediately. I stared, stunned. “Holy shit, dad.”

Dad blinked. “Holy shit is right, kid.”

We used the gutless method to break him down. Dad transferred his pack contents to mine— including the gun—and loaded the head and hide into his. We packed the meat into two bags: one for me, lighter; one for dad, heavier.

Snow was already deep, and it made hauling tough. We considered stashing the meat nearby but pushed farther to a ring of spruce trees. Smart move, as we’d later

find out. We still had to beat the darkness down the mountain—and did. But now we had to go back for the meat.

The next morning, my mind filled with worst-case thoughts: predators. I tried to convince myself those things happened in other people’s stories. Not mine.

Dad debated leaving the rifle behind—one less thing to carry— but thankfully, he changed his mind.

As we neared the meadow, Dad started looking at the ground. He suddenly stopped and swore.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

He pointed. Bear tracks. Big ones. Grizzly.

They led straight into the basin— the same trail we’d used all week.

I asked, “Are we still going?”

“Yes,” Dad said. And we kept moving.

This time, I scanned everywhere. I wasn’t just watching—I was watching.

At the gravel bar just before the basin, we heard howling. Wolves. “Awesome,” I muttered. “Just what we need.”

Thankfully, our hunting buddies were up there. They told us they thought there were two grizzlies and a wolf on the carcass.

TWO grizzlies.

One of the men stayed with me while the other went with dad to retrieve the meat. I tried not to think about what could go wrong. I didn’t want to be the one left behind if something happened to my dad.

To distract me, our buddy pointed out where he’d seen the bears and the wolf. We watched as one bear darted in and out of the brush near the kill site.

Then—relief—dad returned, meat in hand.

We loaded up, the guys helped strap us in, and we said our goodbyes. One of them smiled and said, “You should get off this mountain—now you’ve got meat strapped to your backs.”

We didn’t stop. I thought only about the truck. My hips and shoulders ached from the weight, and I wanted to rest so many times. But dad pushed us forward.

When I finally saw the truck, it felt like heaven.

I sat on the tailgate eating a granola bar, soaking in the satisfaction. The next day, back at home, I told the story to mom and my brother. They were amazed— and rightfully a little freaked out.

Now my sheep skull hangs in our basement, European-style, waiting for the taxidermist. Every time I walk by, I think of the cold wind, the hike, the adrenaline, the grizzly tracks—and I smile.

Because I did that. WS

SHEEP SHORTS

by Jon Pynch

SNAKE RIVER ARCHERY BIGHORN

It’s not far-fetched to say that the hardest part of sheep hunting many places in the Lower 48 is getting a tag. Winning a raffle absolutely blew me away, and I started to realize the final piece in the puzzle was coming together. I had discussions over 2024 with Cal Halliday and Ben Rawls about wanting to hunt this thing with a bow if the tag piece fell into place, so that was a given to me once that happened. Jumping forward to July of 2024, Cal had spotted a good ram that we all wanted a closer look at, so he dropped me a pin. Dylan drove us upriver, so my buddies Matt, Nick, and I could try and turn him up. We needed better photos and video to compare him to another ram that was on our radar. The other ram was living about four miles upriver from where we were looking for this new ram during the summer heat—his location was no secret as he’d been there for years. However, this ram did have another secret, and that was his size. We had seen pics and video of this sheep, and we knew he was a good ram in the upper 180’s to low 90’s. But, 190+ was the goal. That all started to change when we were looking for the other ram Cal had found. While

Photo: Duncan Gilcrest

glassing for that target ram, the new ram on the river had moved a few miles downstream, and showed up where we were. He was good, and the longer we watched, he started turning into a great ram. We took 100’s of pics and videos of them, and discussions around this ram moving into the number one target happened quickly. We compared a million pics and videos to other rams, had a lot of discussions with other “bighorn guys”, and the more we did, the more we were convinced he would definitely break the 190” mark. Target ram selected.

Fast forward to the hunt. A couple of my buddies and I went up high on the Idaho side of the Snake to watch him for a few days before the season, and make sure he was still doing what he had been doing during scouting.

A few days later we had everyone upriver in camp, Ben, my wife, and some new and old faces as well from Sheep Mountain were present, and it was go-time. It had been 112-116 °F every day so sleep was scarce. I’d get in the river at 10-11p.m. and sit in there to cool down, then lay on top of sleeping bag and try to sleep. I’ll blame not sleeping on heat, but the pressure of a tag like this, a ram of this caliber, and archery gear was eating at me!

the afternoon than normal. As it usually goes at go time the rams moved about a mile upriver from where they’d been for weeks, so we started following 80-120yds above them for over 2 hours.

The band of rams finally started

We had agreed earlier that I wouldn’t walk up to him until everyone got across the river to us. That was the longest wait for me in a hunting situation—I could see his shorter side sticking out of the grass and he was a giant!

Everyone arrived and then Ben and I finally walked up to him. The closer we got the more we knew this was a very special ram. All of us who have hunted have definitely experienced ground shrinkage, but you’ll never forget the ones that grow the closer you get. As I grabbed the bases I couldn’t believe it. I know how 16s fit in my hands, and I thought I was grabbing these wrong because they were much larger than normal. I reset my grip three or four times before I looked at Ben in shock and said he has 17s! Everyone snapped their heads around and started heading in closer to get a look. It was such a fun moment for all of us.

The next morning everyone crossed the river to watch from a good vantage. My buddy Matt Alwine and I stayed back on the Oregon side of the river and waited for the rams to head to water, which didn’t happen until much later in

leaving the river and headed back up to bed and ended up 10-15 yards from us in single file line. It got a little hectic for a minute until they picked a path. I got turned around, and the rest was a blur as I held a full draw forever slowly moving up, down, left, and right trying to find a slot to get an arrow into him as they were climbing past us. He ended up at 12yds, I made a walking heart shot, and he died within 20 yds of us!

There is so much more to say, so much effort, time, sacrifice, relationships, and more went into this moment. My FNAWS ram, and NA29 was down, and he’s a giant. None of this would have been possible without Ben’s extreme generosity, dream and vision. I’ve never met or heard of anyone like him. Such a unique and great friend! We’ve hunted our whole lives together and somehow it led to this. Just incredible. Thanks so much to family, friends, outfitters, guides, and companies that supported this 29 journey. WS

SHEEP SHORTS

by Kemp Copeland

DESERT BIGHORN IN TEXAS

With multiple trips to Canada and Mexico, some awesome outfitters and guides, and a bit of good luck, I was able to take eight out of the nine subspecies of indigenous North American sheep over the past several years. I couldn’t resist going for the ninth and managed to prevail at the Sheep Show® auction for the Texas Desert Bighorn Sheep Permit in 2024.

The hunt was scheduled for March 2025 and hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in the Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Mark Garrett and his team did a great job, and the Biologist for the WMA (Cody McEntire) was the lead guide. I invited Jim Breck Bean and Jasper Klein from High West Outfitters (HWO) to join, along with my good friend Oleg Reschikov. He and I worked together in Azerbaijan from 2007-12, and he coordinated my Dagestan tur hunt there in 2018. He still lives in Azerbaijan, but regularly travels to the US.

About 6:00 p.m. on the first day of the hunt, while glassing a group of 10 rams about a mile away, Jim Breck exclaimed “that’s a huge ram!” That’s all I needed to hear. After Cody confirmed the ram met the age criteria, I wasted no time deciding to act on this opportunity.

We were on top of the mountain, and the ram was leading the group towards us. Nice when it works out that way. We closed the gap to 175 yards, and I sealed the deal right at sunset. I was absolutely blown away

by the horn mass and depth of curl on this ram. We aged him at 10 years and scored the horns at 176 5/8 B&C points and will be entering it in the 2026 Ram Awards. WS

Photo: Duncan Gilcrest

SPONSORS ARE CURRENT AS OF PRESS TIME

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PATRONIZE THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE WILD SHEEP FOUNDATION

PRESENTING SPONSORS

DIAMOND SPONSORS

Jean & Daniel Smith, Jr. & Cheryl & Daniel Smith, III

PLATINUM+ SPONSORS

Kevin & Tuesdy Small

Jeff & Jann Demaske

GOLD SPONSORS

PLATINUM

& Jann Demaske

& Renée Thornton

John & Jane Babler

Angela Cain

Frank Cain

Dale & Donna Gaugler

Kevin Gilbert

Lauri Gilbert

Shad & April Hulse

Larry & Gay

Josh Martin Gray & Renée Thornton

A1

ONE OF A KIND LOST WAX ORIGINAL BRONZE OF THE BUYER’S CHOICE (100% FULLY DONATED)

JUSTIN YOUNG FINE ARTS

Justin Young P: 719.688.9110

E: jyoungfineart@hotmail.com W: www.justiniyoung.com

A2

“KODIAK” BROWN BEAR WILDLIFE BRONZE ARTIST

Frank Entsminger

P: 907.883.2833

E: bronzeart@aptalaska.net

W: www.frankentsminger.com

A3

“A LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN” DALL’S SHEEP BRONZE KARL LANSING STUDIO - WILDERNESS IMAGES

Karl & Louise Lansing

P: 250.428.8614

E: klansing@shaw.ca W: www.karllansing.com

A4

METAL MOUNTAIN (100% FULLY DONATED)

MONTANA PLAQUES

Peter Ryman P: 605.380.5659

E: psryman@gmail.com

W: www.montanaplaques.com

A5

TWO HORN GOBLETS - ORIGINAL ART

ANTLERED MUGWORKS

Todd Strupp P: 715.642.3937

E: toddstrupp@gmail.com

W: www.antleredmugworks.com

A6

FNAWS HORN HIGHBALL MUGS - ORIGINAL ART ANTLERED MUGWORKS

Todd Strupp

P: 715.642.3937

E: toddstrupp@gmail.com

W: www.antleredmugworks.com

A7

“HARE RAISING EXPERIENCE” WILDLIFE PAINTING THE DEVINE GALLERY

Dan Devine

P: 905.560.1653

E: dan@dandevine.net

W: www.dandevine.net

A8

20" REPLICA OF THE LIFE-SIZE EAGLE " PURSUIT" WILDLIFE BRONZE ARTIST

Frank Entsminger

P: 907.883.2833

E: bronzeart@aptalaska.net

W: www.frankentsminger.com

A9

ORIGINAL WILDLIFE ART BRONZE & PAINTING COMBO "SEEKIN COVER" (100% FULLY DONATED)

CRAIG PHILLIPS ORIGINALS

Craig Phillips

P: 406.827.3702

W: www.phillipsbronze.com

A10

“THE WISEMAN” LIMITED EDITION 8/35 - ORIGINAL BRONZE (100% FULLY DONATED)

DEVIN ROWE’S BRONZE INC.

Devin Rowe

P: 541.979.9435

E: rowebronz@aol.com

W: www.devinrowe.com

A11

"CROWN ROYAL" RED STAG BRONZE 1/36 EDITION

WILDLIFE BRONZE ARTIST

FRANK ENTSMINGER

P: 907.883.2833

E: bronzeart@aptalaska.net

W: www.frankentsminger.com

ASIA HUNTS

AS1

3 - DAY SINDH IBEX (up to 39”) HUNT IN PAKISTAN FOR 1 HUNTER

- (Trophy Fee up to 39” is Included -$1,000 per inch over 39)

CAPRINAE SAFARIS OF TURKEY

Mehmet Alkan & Riza Gozluk

P: +90.532.583.9108

E: info@caprinae.com

W: www.caprinae.com

AS2

5- DAY MID-CAUCASIAN TUR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN RUSSIA (Trophy Fee Included for 1 Mid-Caucasian Tur)

PROFIHUNT LTD

Vladimir Melnikov- Dennis Shadow

P: 007.926.375.6346

E: hunt@profihunt.com

W: www.profihunt.com

AS1

AS2

B1

5-DAY/5-NIGHT RIO GRANDE WILD TURKEY HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS & 4 NON-HUNTERS (CROSSBOW/BOW HUNT ONLY) (Trophy fees for 2 turkeys are included)

PUERTA LAS HAYAS RANCH

Luis H Salinas

P: 844.419.2832

E: info@puertalashayas.com

W: www.puertalashayas.com

B2

4-DAY/3-NIGHT 1X1 HIGH VOLUME DOVE HUNT FOR 4 HUNTERS (100% FULLY DONATED) FRONTERA WINGSHOOTING Clarita Frontera P: 214.603.4662

E: clarita@fronterawingshooting.com

W: www.fronterawingshooting.com

B3

3-DAY/3-NIGHT DOVE HUNT IN ARGENTINA FOR 4 HUNTERS (100% FULLY DONATED) NORTE HUNTERS

Paula Cardelle P: 972.528.4770 or 980.300.0614

E: nortehunters@gmail.com

W: www.nortehunters.com

B4

3-DAY WATERFOWL HUNT & 2-DAY WINE TASTING FOR 2 IN NEW ZEALAND BLACKSTONE OUTFITTERS NZ Corry & Sarah Walker

P: 64.27.488.6601

E: info@blackstoneoutfitters.nz

W: www.blackstoneoutfitters.nz

B5

3-DAY WATERFOWL & SAND HILL CRANE HUNT IN ALBERTA CANADA FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) AMERI-CANA EXPEDITIONS INC.

Nick & Dan Frederick

P: 780.469.0579

E: ameri.cana@shaw.ca

W: www.ameri-cana.com

EUROPEAN HUNTS

E1

4-DAY MOUFLON OR FALLON DEER FOR 1 HUNTER & 1 NON-HUNTER (Trophy fee included for mouflon or fallon deer)

HUNT IN SPAIN & ALFONSO FABRES

Alfonso Fabres

P: +34.923.380001

E: info@huntinspain.com

W: www.huntinspain.com

E2

3 - DAY FREE-RANGE BALKAN CHAMOIS OR EUROPEAN GRAY WOLF HUNT IN MACEDONA FOR 1 HUNTER

(Trophy fee for Balkan chamois or European gray wolf included, hunters’ choice)

THE HUNTING CONSORTIUM LTD.

Robert Kern

P: 540.955.0090

E: hunt@huntcon.com

W: www.huntingconsortium.com

E3

5-DAY ALPINE CHAMOIS, BALKAN CHAMOIS & HYBRID KRI-KRI IBEX HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER (Trophy fees included for 1 bronze Alpine chamois, bronze Balkan chamois, and Kri-Kri

Hybrid ibex)

(100% FULLY DONATED)

IBERHUNTING SPAIN

Antonio Teruel Farrugello

P: +34 664.283.512

E: iberhunting@iberhunting.com

W: www.iberhunting.com

E4

5-DAY CANTABRIAN CHAMOIS HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER & 1 NONHUNTER (Trophy Fee included for 1 Cantabrian chamois)

HEREDEROS HUNTING

Rafa Navazo

P: 34.629.033.7620

E: rafa@herederoshunting.com

W: www.herederoshunting.com

THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION

E5

3-DAY IBERIAN MOUFLON HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER FOR <1ICLUB 2026! (Trophy fee included for 1 Iberian mouflon) (100% FULLY DONATED)

HEREDEROS HUNTING

E6

5-DAY IBERIAN RED STAG HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) SPAIN SAFARIS

Luis Berga

P: +34.66.981.4458

E: luis@spainsafaris.es

W: www.spainsafaris.es

E7

10-DAY MULTIPLE SPECIES COMBINATION HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER ($11,300 credit for daily rates)

CAZATUR

Eduardo de Araoz

P: 011.34.91.442.3775

E: spain@cazatur.com

W: www.cazatur.com

E8

4-DAY HUNT FOR IBERIAN RED STAG OR ROE DEER FOR 1 HUNTER (Hunter’s choice) (Trophy fees ncluded for 1 red stag up to bronze or 1 unlimited roe deer)

ESPACAZA JOSE MALLO - SPAIN

Jose Mallo

P: 34.91.575.76.29

E: jose@espacaza.com

W: www.espacaza.com

E9

5-DAY FALLOW & RED STAG HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER (Fallow stag up to 3kg - red stag up to 320 SCI points)

FN HUNTING

Martin Neuper

P: +43.664.133.4870

E: fn-hunting@gmx.at

W: www.fnhunting.com

E10

4 - DAY PYRENEAN CHAMOIS OR MOUFLON HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS AND 2 NON-HUNTERS (Hunters’ Choice) THE IBERIAN HUNTING EXPERIENCE

Fernando Diaz

P: 972.994.6924

E: contact@theiberianhuntingexperience.com

W: www.theiberianhuntingexperience.com

EUROPEAN HUNTS

E11

3-DAY IBERIAN MOUFLON SHEEP

HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS IN SPAIN

(Trophy Fee included for 2 Iberian mouflons)

GIUSEPPE & CURRO CARRIZOSA - SPAIN

Curro Carrizosa

P: +34.607.585.224

E: giuseppecarrizosa@gmail.com

W: www.giuseppecarrizosa.com

E12

5 - DAY HYBRID KRI KRI IBEX HUNT IN MACEDONIA!

(Trophy fee for 1 Kri-Kri ibex any size and daily rates for hunter and non-hunter is included)

SAFARI INTERNATIONAL MACEDONIA

(100% FULLY DONATED)

Zlatko Sokolik

P: +389.71.346.994 or US 239.331.1611

E: safariinternacional@gmail.com W: www.interhunts.com

E13

5 - DAY EUROPEAN MOUFLON HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS IN MACEDONIA

(Trophy fee for 2 European mouflon) (100% FULLY DONATED)

SAFARI INTERNATIONAL MACEDONIA

Zlatko & Toma Sokolik

P: +389.71.346.994 or US 239.331.1611

E: safariinternacional@gmail.com W: www.interhunts.com

FIREARMS/OPTICS

F1

TSN-55A FLUORITE CRYSTAL SPOTTING SCOPE & TRIPOD

(100% FULLY DONATED)

KOWA SPORTING OPTICS

Paul Kardos

E: pjkardos@kowa.com

W: www.kowa-usa.com

F1

E12

E13

F2

CUSTOM BUILT SHEEP SHOW

EDITION 7 PRC RIFLE (100% FULLY DONATE)

HIGH VOLTAGE ARMORY

Troy Sturgill

P: 541.260.1751

E: hvarmory@aol.com W: www.hvarmory.com

F3

FIOCCHI USA AMMO (100% FULLY DONATION) FIOCCHI USA

Aaron Glass

P: 417.725.4118

E: h.hammond@fiocchiusa.com

W: www.fiocchiusa.com

F4

HOWA M1500 SUPERLITE .243 WIN IN KRYPTEK ALTITUDE CERAKOTE (100% FULLY DONATED)

LEGACY SPORTS INTERNATIONAL

Chad J. Peters

P: 775.221.7363

E: cpeters@legacysports.com

W: www.legacysports.com

F5

CUSTOM 6.5 PRC ULTIMATE SHEEP RIFLE - WITH A SWAROVSKI RIFLE SCOPE

ARROWHEAD RIFLES

Luke Horak

P: 319.558.8621

E: sales@arrowheadrifles.com W: www.arrowheadrifles.com

F6

BROWNING 7PRC X-BOLT 2 SPEED SPR (100% FULLY DONATED)

BROWNING P: 801.876.2711

E: shaundi.campbell@browning.com W: www.browning.com

F7

GUNWERKS CUSTOM CALIBUR FIREARM W/TRAINING SCHOOL (100% FULLY DONATED)

GUNWERKS

Anita Rodriguez

P: 307.290.7289

E: a.rodriguez@gunwerks.com

W: www.gunwerks.com

FISHING

FISH 1

3-DAY NORTHERN PIKE & WALLEYE FISHING TRIP FOR 2 ANGLERS (100% FULLY DONATED)

GREAT WHITE HOLDINGS, LTD

Jon McMahon

P: 780.818.6201

E: greatwhiteholdings.com W: www.greatwhiteholdings.com

FISH 2

3-DAY/4-NIGHT FISHING TRIP FOR 1 WHEELCHAIR BOUND ANGLER & 1 CAREGIVER CAMERON RIDGE BUNGALOWS/ SWEET SIN FISHING ADVENTURES

Chris Franke/Lawrence Dunkley P: 780.817.4349/250.855.9178

E: info@cameronridge.com W: www.cameronridge.com

FISH 3

4-DAY FISHING TRIP IN NORTHERN YUKON 2 ANGLERS & 2 NONANGLERS (Fish include grayling, Arctic char, and lake trout)

MIDNIGHT SUN OUTFITTING

Logan & Jesse Young

P: 403.813.8589

E: midnightsunoutfitting@gmail.com W: www.midghtsunoutfitting.com

FISH 4

2-DAY COMBINATION ALLIGATOR HUNT AND ARAPAIMA FISHING TRIP FOR 1 ANGLER (100% FULLY DONATED) BIENVENUE OUTDOORS

Camille Bienvenue

P: 941.806.8062

E: bienvenueoutdoors@outlook.com W: www.bienvenueoutdoors.com

FURS

FUR 1

NATURAL LUNARAINE MINK LONG GILET VEST. SLEEK AND ELEGANT. SIZE M

WILLIAM FURS

Caline Asmar

P: 775.828.0995

E: williamsfurs@yahoo.com

W: www.williamfurs.com

FUR 2

FORREST GREEN SHEARED BEAVER

JACKET WITH SPOTTED RABBIT COLLAR SIZE S.

WILLIAM FURS

Caline Asmar

P: 775.828.0995

E: williamsfurs@yahoo.com

W: www.williamfurs.com

FUR 3

BLACK AND GOLD SPOTTED SHEARED MINK STROLLER REVERSIBLE TO TAFFETA RAINCOAT. PERFECT FOR TRAVELING SIZE L/XL

WILLIAM FURS

Caline Asmar

P: 775.828.0995

E: williamsfurs@yahoo.com

W: www.williamfurs.com

FUR 4

DARK BROWN LAMBSKIN LEATHER STROLLER WITH NATURAL MINK TRIM AND SHEARED MINK LINER SIZE M/L

WILLIAM FURS

Caline Asmar

P: 775.828.0995

E: williamsfurs@yahoo.com

W: www.williamfurs.com

FUR 5

TANNED COW ELK HIDE (100% FULLY DONATED) SUMMIT LIFE MEMBER: KEVIN HURLEY

FUR 6

3-DAY BC TRAPLINE ADVENTURE W/KENT MAITLAND BC TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION

Stan Troyer

FUR 6

TANNED BUFFALO HIDE ROBE (100% FULLY DONATED) SUMMIT LIFE MEMBER: KEVIN HURLEY

FUR 7

BC LYNX PELT

BC TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION

Stan Troyer

P: 250.263.4999

E: bcfarmer@gmail.com W. www.bctrappers.ca

FUR 8

BC GRAY WOLF PELT BC TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION

Stan Troyer

JEWELRY

J1 THE PEARLS OF ORHID (100% FULLY DONATED) SAFARI INTERNATIONAL MACEDONIA

Zlatko Sokolik

P: +389.70.219.080

E: safariinternacional@gmail.com

W: www.interhunts.com

MERCHANDISE

M1

FLY WAY 4X4 180X AUTOMATIC TRAP THROWER (100% FULLY DONATED) DO ALL OUTDOORS

Mike Winkler

P: 615.775.8298

E: mike@doalloutdoors.com

W: www.doalloutdoors.com

M2 THE TACTICAL - T-4-16-HD CUSTOM SERIES

TACTICAL HEARING

Tim Sparks

P: 801.822.6888

E: tim@tacticalhearing.com

W: www.tacticalhearing.com

M3

CUSTOM FELT HAT (100% FULLY DONATED) CHAZ MITCHELL CUSTOM HATS

P: 435.559.1917

E: chaz@chazhatz.com

W: www.chazhatz.com

M2

M3

M1

J1

M4

CUSTOM COLOR PACK HORSE PACKAGE (100% FULLY DONATED)

CUSTOM PACK RIGGING LTD.

Tysen Bjorn

P: 250.256.7858

E: tysen@custompackrigging.com

N. AMERICAN HUNTS

NA 1

5 - DAY COUES DEER HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN ARIZONA

LET’ER RIP OUTFITTER & GUIDE SERVICE

Bill Babiash

P: 520.370.5457

E: badbullz@aol.com

NA 2

7-DAY THERMAL PREDATOR HUNT IN ALASKA

MIDNIGHT SUN SAFARIS

Coke Wallace

P: 907.978.0929

E: info@midnightsunsafaris.com W: www.midnightsunsafaris.com

NA 3

5-DAY COLUMBIA BLACKTAIL DEER AND BLACK BEAR COMBO HUNT IN OREGON FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED)

EDEN RIDGE OUTFITTERS

John McCollum

P: 541.290.2671

E: edenridgehunts@gmail.com

W: EdenRidgeOutfitters.com

NA 4

2-DAY HUNT FOR HYBRID EUROPEAN MOUFLON/HAWAIIAN SHEEP FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 DAY DEEP SEA FISHING FOR UP TO 3 PEOPLE (100% FULLY DONATED)

MAUNA LOA OUTFITTERS

Colin Onaka - WSF Life Member

Steven Onaka

P: 808.960.7373

E: MaunaLoaOutfitters@gmail.com

Capt. Mark Bartell of the Ambush P: 808.366.4808

N. AMERICAN HUNTS

NA 5

10-DAY BIGHORN SHEEP HUNT FOR 2026 SHEEP SHOW RAFFLE GARRET BROS OUTFITTING

Pat Garrett

P: 780.621.7989

E: pat_470@hotmail.com

W: www.garrettbrosoutfitting.com

NA 6

7-DAY COUGAR HUNT IN BC FOR 2026 SHEEP SHOW KIFARU OUTFITTERS

Jesse VanMarrion

P: 403.594.2781

E: jvanmaarion@kifaruoutfitters.net

W: www.kifaruoutfitters.net

NA 7

5-DAY TROPHY BISON HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN CALIFORNIA CONSERVATIVE GAME MANAGEMENT

Chase Morisoli

P: 805.610.3624

E: cmorisoli@gmail.com

W: www.huntcgm.com

NA 8

11-DAY TROPHY MOUNTAIN GOAT HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN REMOTE BRITISH COLUMBIA TERMINUS MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS

Craig Kiselbach

P: 250.442.7103

E: terminusmtn@gmail.com

W: www.terminusmountain.com

NA 9

9 - DAY ALASKAN HUNT FOR 2 MOUNTAIN GOATS AND 1 SITKA BLACKTAIL DEER FOR 1 HUNTER & 1 NON-HUNTER

KODIAK OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Paul Chervenak

P: 907.486.3008

E: paul@kodiakoutdoors.com

W: www.kodiakoutdoors.com

NA 10

10-DAY SPRING GRIZZLY BEAR & WOLF HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER MIDNIGHT SUN SAFARIS

Coke Wallace

P: 907.978.0929

E: info@midnightsunsafaris.com W: www.midnightsunsafaris.com

NA 11

5-DAY TWO BLACK BEAR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) DEEP COUNTRY LODGE

Dean Crocker

P: 709.685.2463

E: deancrocker@exitrealtynl.com W: www.deepcountrylodge.com

NA 12

10-DAY LA PALMOSA DESERT SHEEP HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 2 NON-HUNTERS (100% FULLY DONATED)

LA PALMOSA - HUNTING OUTFITTER

Emilio Espino

P: +521.811.916.4668

E: info@lapalmosa.com

NA 13

10-DAY FALL MOUNTAIN GOAT HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER KILDALA ADVENTURES, LTD.

Todagin Hodson

P: 250.877.2407

E: kildalaadventures@gmail.com

W: www.kildalaadventures.com

NA 14

5-DAY BULL ELK HUNT IN NEW MEXICO FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER

(PROCEEDS OF THIS HUNT WILL GO TO BENEFIT THE RANCHITOS DE LOS NINOS CHILDRENS HOME IN NEW MEXICO) FOUR DAUGHTERS RANCH

Mike Mechenbier

P: 505.388.2902

E: accounting@4dcattle.com

W: www.elranchitonm.org

NA 15

10-DAY ALASKA YUKON MOOSE BACKPACK HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER NWT OUTFITTERS

NAHANNI BUTTE OUTFITTERS

Jim & Nadine Lancaster/Clay Lancaster

P: 250.847.1855

E: jladventures@xplornet.com

W: www.lancasterfamilyhunting.com

NA 16

12-DAY SPRING KODIAK ISLAND BROWN BEAR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER ROHRER BEAR CAMP

Sam Rohrer

P: 907.486.4074

C: 907.539.1828

E: sam@kodiakbearcamp.com W: kodiakbearcamp.com

NA 17

12-DAY STONES’ SHEEP HUNT IN NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA (100% PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT NW BC STONE’S SHEEP INITIATIVES) SPATSIZI RIVER OUTFITTERS

Mike Gilson

P: 250.847.9692

E: mike_gilson@bcsafaris.com

E: admin@spatsizi.com

W: www.spatsizi.com

N. AMERICAN HUNTS

NA 18

12-DAY MOUNTAIN GOAT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED FOR WSF THINHORN INITIATIVE)

GOLDEN BEAR OUTFITTING

Blake Williams

P: 250.794.8350

E: gbowilliams@gmail.com

W: www.goldenbearoutfitting.com

NA 19

5-DAY MULE DEER HUNT IN NEW MEXICO FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) FRONTIER OUTFITTING

GT Nunn

P: 505.350.9775

E: gtnunn@aol.com

W: www.frontieroutfitting.com

NA 20

3-DAY/2-NIGHTS AMERICAN ALLIGATOR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED)

GOD’S COUNTRY OUTFITTERS

Charles & Natalie Herrington

P: 386.972.0100

E: hunt@godscountryoutfitters.net W: www.godscountryoutfitters.net

NA 21

HELICOPTER HOG HUNT PACKAGE FOR TWO HELIBACON

Chris Britt

P: 281.802.0397

E: chris.britt@helibacon.com W: www.helibacon.com

NA 22

5-DAY COLUMBIA BLACK TAIL DEER & COASTAL BLACK BEAR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) SPOON CREEK OUTFITTERS

Ken Wilson

P: 541.396.2726

E: spooncreek13@gmail.com

NA 23

5-DAY/6-NIGHT KODIAK SITKA

BLACK-TAILED DEER, SEA DUCK AND FOX COMBO HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS (100% FULLY DONATED)

MIKE ODIN’S ALASKA ADVENTURES, LLC

Mike Odin

P: 907.644.4868

E: mike@mikeodin.com

W: www.mikeodin.com

NA 24

10-DAY ALASKA-YUKON

MOOSE HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN NORTHWEST ALASKA

FREELANCE OUDOOR ADVENTURES

Lance Kronberger

P: 907.854.2822

E: freelanceOA@mac.com W: www.freelanceoutdooradventures.com

NA 25

NEVADA UNIT 231 PRIVATE LANDOWNER ELK TAG FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED)

PEPPERMILL CASINO & GEYSER RANCH

Albert D. Seeno Jr. & Blue Mountain Ranches of Nevada LLC P: 925.671.7711

NA 26

7-DAY LATE SEASON MOUNTAIN GOAT HUNT IN ALASKA FOR 1 HUNTER - SHEEP SHOW RAFFLE 2026 (100% FULLY DONATED)

ULTIMA THULE OUTFITTERS

Paul & Donna Claus

E: logan@ultimathulelodge.com

W: www.ultimathulelodge.com

NA 27

12 - DAY DALL’S SHEEP/WOLF/ WOLVERINE HUNT IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES FOR 1 HUNTER & 1 NON-HUNTER

GANA RIVER OUTFITTERS LTD.

Harold Grinde

P: 403.357.8414

E: ganariver@pentnet.net W: www.ganariver.com

NA 28

5-DAY COUES DEER HUNT FOR 4 HUNTERS (WITH FREE MOUNTAIN LION BONUS) IN ARIZONA DIAMOND OUTFITTERS

Dan and Terri Adler

P: 520.730.8147

E: Info@DiamondOutfitters.com W: www.DiamondOutfitters.com and www. ZeroOutfitterFees.com

NA 29

3-DAY/2-NIGHTS AMERICAN ALLIGATOR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED)

GOD’S COUNTRY OUTFITTERS

Charles & Natalie Herrington

P: 386.972.0100

E: hunt@godscountryoutfitters.net

W: www.godscountryoutfitters.net

N. AMERICAN HUNTS

NA 30

5-DAY TROPHY WHITETAIL DEER

HUNT IN KANSAS FOR 2 HUNTERSARCHERY ONLY

DIRT NAP OUTDOORS, LLC

Paul Davis

P: 870.243.9491

E: dirtnapoutdoorsllc@gmail.com

W: www.dirtmapoutdoorsllc.com

NA 31

10-DAY COASTAL BROWN BEAR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER

BUSHWHACK ALASKA

Kip Fulks

P: 443.442.7085

E: kip@bshwak.com

W: www.bushwhackalaska.com

NA 32

6-DAY MOUNTAIN LION HUNT IN ARIZONA FOR 1 HUNTER DIERINGER OUTFITTERS LLC

Sam Dieringer

P: 928.322.2627

E: sam@dieringeroutfitters.com

W: www.dieringeroutfitters.com

NA 33

7-DAY SITKA BLACKTAIL DEER AND SEA DUCK HUNT FOR 4 HUNTERS ON KODIAK ISLAND

DEREK BLAKE - ENCHANTRESS EXPED.

Derek Blake

P: 907.830.8528

E: akderek@gmail.com

NA 34

5-DAY ARIZONA MOUNTAIN LION HUNT WITH HOUNDS FOR 1 HUNTER DIAMOND OUTFITTERS

Dan and Terri Adler

P: 520.730.8147

E: Info@DiamondOutfitters.com

W: www.DiamondOutfitters.com

W: www.ZeroOutfitterFees.com

S 1

TROPHY ROOM CLEANING (100% FULLY DONATED) HEADHUNTER TROPHY CARE LLC

Wade West

P: 817.988.2312

E: trophycare@rocketmail.com

S 2 2027 WSF

S 4 WINE TASTING FOR 50 PEOPLE ANYWHERE IN THE CONTINENTAL USA AFRICAN TRADITION

Clive Botha P: 561.379.8243

E: blksem7@aol.com W: www.sabestwine.com

S. AFRICAN HUNTS

SA 1

7-DAY SABLE BULL OR ROAN

ANTELOPE HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER

($3,000 credit towards trophy fee, towards sable bull or roan antelope)

IBAMBA SAFARIS

Johan & Zelda Pretorius P: +27832261690

E: johan@ibambasafaris.com W: www.ibambasafaris.com

SA 2

7-DAY/6-NIGHT IMPALA & ZEBRA HUNT FOR 4 HUNTERS AND 4 NON-HUNTERS

(2 impala and 2 zebra to be shared between hunters are included)

(100% FULLY DONATED)

DEKO SAFARIS

Gerhard Van Blerle

P: 27.82.855.0168

E: gerhard@dekosafaris.com

W: www.dekosafaris.com

SA 3

7-DAY/6-NIGHT IMPALA & BLESBUCK HUNT FOR 4 HUNTERS (2 impala and 2 blesbuck to be shared between hunters are included)

(100% FULLY DONATED)

DEKO SAFARIS

Gerhard Van Blerle

P: 27.82.855.0168

E: gerhard@dekosafaris.com W: www.dekosafaris.com

SA 4

5 - DAY/5 NIGHT EXCLUSIVE “BIG 5” PHOTO SAFARI FOR 2 PEOPLE WITH LUXURY LODGING MATTHEW GREEFF SAFARIS

Matthew & Sylvia Greeff

P: +27.83.265.2824

E: mgsafari@iafrica.com

W: www.matthewgreeffsafaris.com

S. AFRICAN HUNTS

SA 5

5 - DAY HUNT FOR ZEBRA, IMPALA, BLESBUCK, WARTHOG, MT REEDBUCK AND KLIPSPRINGER FOR 3 HUNTERS (Trophy Fees for 6 mentioned species to be split between 3 hunters)

SUPERIOR AFRICAN HUNTING SAFARIS

Eli Van Der Walt/Jeffrey Austin

P: 830.313.8724

E: rancho1024@yahoo.com W: www.superiorsafaris.com

SA 6

3-DAY BLACK WILDEBEEST AND BLESBUCK HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN SOUTH AFRICA

(100% FULLY DONATED) CHASSEURS DE MOCAMBIQUE

Juan Pace

P: +27.820.798.765

E: safari.cdm@outlook.com W: www.mozhunters-cdm.com

SA 7

3-DAY ROOSEVELT SABLE HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN MOZAMBIQUE (100% FULLY DONATED) CHASSEURS DE MOCAMBIQUE

Juan Pace

P: +27.820.798.765

E: safari.cdm@outlook.com W: www.mozhunters-cdm.com

S. PACIFIC

SP 1

5-DAY BULL TAHR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER FOR <1ICLUB 2026! (100% FULLY DONATED) BLACKSTONE OUTFITTERS NZ

Corry & Sarah Walker

P: 64.27.488.6601

E: info@blackstoneoutfitters.nz W: www.blackstoneoutfitters.nz

SA 6

SA 7

Tomas Jacques

P: 64.210.255.4411

E: tj@metanoiaventures.com

W: www.metanoiaventures.com

TAX 1

LIFE-SIZE WILD SHEEP MOUNT WITH HABITAT AND BASE DEER CREEK WILDLIFE STUDIO

Josh Hunt

P: 307.272.3718

E: deercreekwildlife@icloud.com

W: www.deercreekwildlifestudio.com

TAX 2

LIFE-SIZE NORTH AMERICAN SHEEP MOUNT

(100% FULLY DONATED) THE WILDLIFE GALLERY

Dan & Charlotte Catlin

P: 989.561.5369

E: dan@thewildlifegallery.com

W: www.thewildlifegallery.com

TAX 3

SOFT MOUNTED WOLF FOUNDATION FOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (F4WM)

Justin Webb – Executive Director P: 208-610-4455

E: info@f4wm.org

TAX 4

LIFE-SIZE WILD SHEEP MOUNT W/ HABITAT AND WOOD BASE (100% FULLY DONATED) CEDAR MOUNTAIN TAXIDERMY

Donny & Rachel Paul

P: 307.250.8918

E: cedarmountaintaxidermy@gmail.com

TAX 5

TROPHY CLEANING FOR HOME OR OFFICE (100% FULLY DONATED) OLD WOLF TAXIDERMY CLEANING & REPAIR

Fritz Richards

P: 775.303.2969

E: oldwolfcleaning@att.net

W: www.oldwolftaxidermycleaning.com

TAXIDERMY

TAX 6

LIFE-SIZE WILD SHEEP MOUNT WITH BASE ZIMMERMAN WILDLIFE

Marcus & Ken Zimmerman

P: 814.793.2821

E: ken@zimmermanwildlife.net

W: www.zimmermanwildlife.net

TRIPS/ADVENTURES

T 1

4-DAY/3-NIGHT EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURE AT LA PALMOSA FOR 6 PEOPLE (Culinary experience, wildlife viewing, spa and much more!)

100% FULLY DONATED LA PALMOSA

Emilio Espino

P: 52.818.181.2924

E: info@lapalmosa.com

W: www.lapalmosa.com

T 2

ONE WEEK STAY IN A MOUNTAIN CABIN IN THE BEAUTIFUL BIGHORN MOUNTAINS OF WYOMING (100% FULLY DONATED)

Jeff Geiger

P: 614.668.8222

E: jeffrey_geiger@ml.com

T 3

6 - NIGHT ALL-INCLUSIVE VACATION ON THE 7D RANCH IN WYOMING WILDERNESS FOR 2 PEOPLE

(100% FULLY DONATED) 7D RANCH

Meade & Andrea Dominick P: 307.587.9885

E: ranch7d@gmail.com W: www.7dranch.com

T 4

$3,800 CREDIT FOR TWO PEOPLE FOR A RAFTING TRIP IN IDAHO (credit can be used for 4 days or buyer can upgrade for 6-7 days) (100% FULLY DONATED)

BARKER TROPHY HUNTS / BARKER RIVER EXPEDITIONS

NAVAJO NATION DESERT

BIGHORN (2 AVAILABLE)

NAVAJO NATION DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE

Jeff Cole P: 928.871.6595

E: jcole@nndfw.org

BRITISH COLUMBIA MOUNTAIN SHEEP SPECIAL HUNTING PERMIT

BC FISH & WILDLIFE BRANCH, MINISTRY OF FORESTS AND THE HABITAT CONSERVATION

TRUST FOUNDATION

Alicia Bates P: 250.739.8683

COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN

BIGHORN SHEEP LICENSE

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SOCIETY

Terry Meyers, Executive Director - RMBS

E: meyers.terry@gmail.com P: 970.640.6892

CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF WARM SPRINGS BRANCH OF NATURA RESOURCES - CA

BIGHORN SHEEP PERMIT

CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF WARM SPRINGS BRANCH OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Austin Smith Jr - Branch of Natural Resources General Manager

P: 541.553.2046

E: wildlifetags@ctwsbnr.org

STATE OF MONTANA

BIGHORN SHEEP LICENSE

MONTANA FISH

WILDLIFE & PARKS

Emily Cooper

P: 406.444.2663

E: Emily.Cooper@mt.gov

STATE OF NEVADA

NELSON DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP TAG 2025

STATE OF NEVADA

DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE

P: 775.688.1556 – Mike Cox

STATE OF NEVADA

PRONGHORN TAG

STATE OF NEVADA

DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE

P: 775.688.1659 – Cody Schroeder

ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE, ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP

ALBERTA PROFESSIONAL OUTFITTERS

Jeana Schuurman

P: 780.404.0588

E: jeana@apos.ab.ca

W: www.apos.ab.ca.com

IDAHO BIGHORN SHEEP (Non-Hells Canyon Year)

IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

Shane Roberts - Wildlife Bureau Chief P: 208.334.2920

TAOS PUEBLO ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP PERMIT

TAOS PUEBLO DIVISION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Michael A. Martinez- Hunt Manager P: 575.779.4105

E: hunting@taospueblo.com

OREGON BIGHORN SHEEP TAG OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE

Don Whittaker P: 503.947.6325

don.whittaker@state.or.us

ALASKAN CHUGACH DALL’S SHEEP TAG

ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME

Thomas Lohuis P: 907.267.2412 E: thomas.lohuis@alaska.gov

NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS COMMISSION

BIGHORN SHEEP PERMIT

NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS COMMISSION

Todd Nordeen P: 308.763.2940

JAN . 22 - 24

$500 PER TICKET

500 TICKETS SOLD

12-DAY STONES' SHEEP

HUNT IN NORTHERN

BRITISH COLUMBIA

SPATSIZI RIVER OUTFITTERS

IN PERSON SALES AT SHEEP SHOW ONLY

$200 PER TICKET 1,000 TICKETS SOLD

10-DAY BIGHORN SHEEP HUNT

GARRETT BROS. OUTFITTING

10-DAY DESERT SHEEP HUNT

SIERRA El ALAMO

DALL’S SHEEP HUNT

TBD

$100 PER TICKET 1,000 TICKETS SOLD

10-DAY MOOSE HUNT

MIDNIGHT SUN SAFARIS

$100 PER TICKET

200 TICKETS SOLD

WEATHERBY SHOTGUN

PACKAGE (.410, .28, .20, .12)

NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN

DRAWING DATE JAN 24, 2026

RENO, NV

RAFFLE ITEMS ARE CURRENT AS OF PRESS TIME TO PRE-ORDER TICKETS CALL WSF: 406.404.8750

$40 = 1 TICKET

$100 = 3 TICKETS

$300 = 12 TICKETS

$500 = 25 TICKET

$1,000 = 65 TICKETS

7-DAY MOUNTAIN

CARIBOU HUNT

TBD

7-DAY COUGAR HUNT

KIFARU OUTFITTERS

7-DAY LATE SEASON MOUNTAIN GOAT HUNT

ULTIMA THULE OUTFITTERS

2-DAY COMBINATION

ALLIGATOR HUNT & ARAPAIMA FISHING TRIP FOR 1 BIENVENUE OUTDOORS

BOSWELL CUSTOM 7 PRC RIFLE BOSWELL CUSTOM RIFLES

LOUIS VUITTON LADIES PACKAGE

i Hunt & WSF

WEATHERBY WALL OF GUNS

• .410 Gauge Shotgun

• .28 Gauge Shotgun

• .20 Gauge Shotgun

• .12 Gauge Shotgun

• MarK V Backcountry 7mm PRC

• 307 Alpine MDT Carbon 7mm PRC

• 307 Alpine MDT 6.5 CM

MORE GREAT HUNTS AND ITEMS COMING SOON!

38th ANNUAL DUNCAN GILCHRIST PHOTO CONTEST

Prizes for the People’s Choice Award and first-place images for Live Sheep, Hunter in the Field, Hunter with Trophy, and Open categories provided by Leica Sport Optics.

ENTER NOW

2025 People’s Choice winner ABE BLAIR

PHOTOS JUDGED AT THE 2026 SHEEP SHOW

LADIES ONLY

Brunch • Auctions • Raffles

Friday, January 23 • 10:30 - 12:30 • Tuscany Ballroom • Peppermill

One of the many things that makes the Sheep Show® so special is the number of our members who not only attend but want to actively contribute to first-class events.

INTRODUCING SUPER PATRONS

Who doesn’t enjoy witnessing the excitement of one of our brothers and sisters winning their first sheep hunt at the <1Club reception or having their name called at the Life Member Breakfast for a desert sheep hunt, or seeing world-class animals recognized at the RAM Awards, or the Wild Sheep Ladies making their own noise and memories at the Ladies Luncheon? If you’ve attended any of these events, you know the vibe is contagious. Now you can be more than an attendee and help WSF make these events even more special for everyone.

As a Super Patron ($3,000), you’ll be supporting all four events:

• Life Member Breakfast and desert sheep hunt drawing

• RAM Awards buckle sponsor

• < 1 Clubs Reception and hunt giveaways

• Ladies Luncheon Patron

PLUS, Super Patrons receive an exclusive Super Patron gold lapel pin, a custom YETI M20 soft backpack cooler, recognition at the events, and are eligible for the Life Member Breakfast Patron’s raffle drawings. Life Members receive an extra chance in the desert sheep hunt drawing.

Or, you can choose to be a part of individual events.

• Like Member Breakfast ($1,000)

• RAM Awards Buckle Sponsor ($1,000)

• < 1 Club ($500)

• Ladies Luncheon ($500)

Individual Patrons also receive special recognition and chances to win.

If you’re interested in becoming a Super Patron or sponsoring any of the individual events, please contact: Maddie Richards

Membership Manager & <1 Clubs Manager 406.404.8750 mrichards@wildsheepfoundation.org

ADVENTURE PROFILES

Brent Williamson

SPECIES: Desert bighorn

OUTFITTER: Extreme Desert Outfitters

GUIDE: Silvia Torres

LOCATION: Sonora, Mexico

In January 2024, I booked a desert sheep hunt with Silvia Torres of Extreme Desert Outfitters in Sonora, Mexico, set for December.

On day two, we spotted two rams early. One was legal, but Silvia urged us to hold out—she thought we could do better. As we returned to the truck, a guide radioed: “Mucho grande ram spotted.” Game on.

We waited for the ram to bed down, then climbed hard to his ridge. At first, we couldn’t find him, but glassing the next slope revealed him bedded below us. Suddenly, he jumped and vanished—then reappeared at 370 yards. At Juan Carlos’s range call, I made the shot.

In moments, I went from passing on a good ram to harvesting the ram of a lifetime. After so many years chasing this dream, I was overwhelmed with emotion. The hunt was short, intense, and unforgettable—made possible by five dedicated guides and the incredible effort of Silvia, Pancho, and Christine, who’s been by my side for every sheep hunt but the first.

A FNAWS achieved—an epic end to a lifelong pursuit. WS

Craig Van Arsdale

SPECIES: Dall’s sheep SELF-GUIDED

LOCATION: Brooks Range, Alaska

I spotted this ram and his threeyear-old companion the night before right before dark as I was setting up camp after a long day’s hike into the area. I was able to get the spotter on him to verify he was a legal ram before dark that night and could only hope they’d stay there through the night.

Early the next morning I woke to find the rams were still in the same band of cliffs. After a couple hours of climbing, I was in position in my whites above the sheep, but on the edge of the band of cliffs.That’s when the waiting game began. To make a long story short, after an all-day wait the rams finally made a mistake, and I was able to strike while the iron was hot and put an arrow through the big ram at 25 yards right before dark! WS

Daryll Hosker

SPECIES: Red sheep

OUTFITTER: Rowdy McBride Hunting Services

GUIDE: Bonnor Wallace

LOCATION: Texas

Last October Tom Foss and I returned to Texas to hunt with my ole friend, long-time supporter of WSF, Rowdy McBride, and his #1 guide and next in line to the throne, Bonnor Wallace. It was a fun, relaxing hunt compared to overseas destinations, but still challenging. I have to thank Rowdy for all of his contributions to conservation over the years and to Bonnor for all the laughs. WS

Keith Kidwell

SPECIES: Bighorn sheep

OUTFITTER: Carter Outfitting GUIDES: Jim Roxburgh

LOCATION: Alberta

I passed on a legal full curl ram on the fourth day of my hunt. We estimated him at seven or eight years old. Never thought I’d pass on a legal ram, but I did! We found my ram on the sixth day. He was with another legal ram and a younger, non-legal ram. We watched them from 1,800 yards away until late in the day. We couldn’t find them when we went back the next morning. At the end of day, we checked a drainage behind where they were the prior day and found them again. Fortunately, they were still there when we went back the next morning. We put a power climb on and got up to them in just under two hours. Fastest I’ve ever climbed in any hunt! The ram was down by 10 a.m. My guide and outfitter both aged him at 14, but the agency turned him in at 12, but I’m confident he’s a teenager! His teeth were worn down to the gums… Ancient ram and a hunt-of-a-lifetime! WS

Jim Bonanno

SPECIES: Dall’s sheep

OUTFITTER: Keele River Outfitters

GUIDES: John Bottomley, Chase Sheehan

LOCATION: Northwest Territories

This was my second Dall’s sheep hunt and my first true backpack hunt—an amazing adventure from start to finish. I was so well taken care of up there. We moved camps twice and climbed into bowls and headwaters each day, covering new ground in search of rams.

Finally, on day seven, we had our chance. A nice ram was bedded in the shade with a small band in a secluded drainage. After a long wait, they stood and began moving across the slope from right to left. We had to move too. Eventually, we got set up at 500 yards, and when the ram paused to feed on a willow, I made the shot.

This hunt was deeply rewarding for several reasons: it completed my FNAWS, it pushed me harder physically than any hunt before, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Most meaningful of all, I got this ram on my dad’s 85th birthday. That night, I was able to connect back to Starlink and FaceTime him. There were a lot of tears shed on the mountain that day. WS

Zeev Nederman

SPECIES: Hangai argali

Outfitter: Battulga Tumurdash / Look Mongolia Guide: Tur-Enkh - “Turo”

Location: Mongolia

After more than 30 years, I finally made it back to Mongolia in July 2024—this time for a Hangai argali hunt. The journey to camp was a long one: over 12 hours in a Land Cruiser, arriving in the middle of the night.

The hunt was well organized, with knowledgeable guides, a fantastic team of horsemen, and a very comfortable camp. We spent several days glassing different bands of rams, taking our time and enjoying the landscape.

On the fifth day, we spotted a group of seven rams with a beautiful, mature ram leading the band. We were perched at about 10,000 feet on a mountaintop, over a mile away from them across open country. To make a move, we dropped down the mountain and worked our way up from below.

At 420 yards, I had a clear shot—and with one well-placed round, the hunt was over.

It was a truly memorable experience. Great country, a great crew, and a very special animal I’ll never forget. WS

Steve Skold

SPECIES: Desert bighorn

OUTFITTER: La Palmosa

GUIDE: Emelio Espino

LOCATION: Coahuilla, Mexico

As per their reputation, La Palmosa delivered in all regards on this very nice ram that completed my FNAWS, which was 25 years in the making!

We hiked a ridgeline all morning, and just as I pulled out my lunch, the guide motioned that he had glassed a good ram across a large draw. The hike down and back up took some effort as I didn’t realize that we were at 6,000feet elevation. Luckily, we were able to continue looking for elk after the first day harvest and enjoy the fine country and hospitality that La Palmosa is known for. WS

Dave Johnson

SPECIES: Dall’s sheep

OUTFITTR: South Nahanni Outfitters

GUIDE: Kish Sorenson

LOCATION: McKenzie Mountains, NWT

After hunting hard, working various drainages and peaks and seeing very few sheep, it was amazing to glass nearly 100 sheep from one spot after we relocated areas. My guide, Kish spotted this ram early in the morning, and we patiently worked our way to him throughout the course of the day. It was an incredible feeling to put in the effort and close the deal late on day six of an eight-day adventure—literally perfect in every way. Especially for my first sheep hunt! WS

Rob Holt

SPECIES: Bighorn sheep

OUTFITTER: Elk Valley Bighorn Outfitters

GUIDES: Ryan Damstrom, Nathan Taylor, Chase Bauer

LOCATION: British Columbia

This bighorn ram was special because it completed my FNAWS, which began with a Dall’s sheep hunt in 2014. Ten years later, I found myself on a mid-October hunt in BC’s Elk Valley searching for my fourth sheep. We saw a good number of rams in some awesome country. I had great guides who helped me take this heavy ram early in the hunt. WS

Michael Sheruda

SPECIES: Stone’s sheep

OUTFITTER: Gundahoo River

Outfitters

GUIDE: Isaac Thompson

LOCATION: British Columbia

My Stone’s sheep hunt with Gundahoo River Outfitters was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget. I had the time of my life in some of the most beautiful country I’ve ever been in, with quality horses, excellent guides, and great people. I’m so grateful to everyone that helped make this hunt such an exciting adventure for me.WS

Marcus Gores

SPECIES: Pyrenean chamois

OUTFITTER: EuroHunts Spain

GUIDE: Kish Sorenson

LOCATION: Spain

Getting to explore Spain hunting chamois and ibex with my best friend and spouse, Shay, was one of the best hunting experiences I have had. The rugged country and beautiful terrain were like no other I have experienced yet. Alvaro and his team guided us on a fantastic hunt, and I am very grateful to have this experience.WS

Thank your Guide/Outfitter for a job well done in the Winter issue of Wild Sheep Magazine.® This generates business for them and shows how appreciative you are!

wildsheepfoundation.org/wild-sheep-magazine FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: Terry Ziehl 406.404.8765 • tziehl@wildsheepfoundation.org

FOR WSF MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT TAKEN A WILD SHEEP RAM

Kevin & Tuesday Small Jeff & Jann Demaske

HUNT UNDERWRITERS

12-DAY HORSEBACK DALL SHEEP HUNT, ONE WOLVERINE AND 5 WOLVES

12 - DAY DALL’S SHEEP/WOLF/WOLVERINE HUNT IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES FOR 1 HUNTER & 1 NON-HUNTER

GEAR DONORS PATRON SPONSORS

Gray & Renée Thornton

DRAWING & SIGN UP INFO ON THE NEXT PAGE

RULES & REGULATIONS

1. <1 Club “Membership” is open ONLY to those aspiring sheep hunters who have not yet taken a North American or international wild sheep ram*.

2. Annual membership in the <1 Club is only $35. New <1 Club Members receive a <1 Club T-shirt, club decal, and one (1) entry into the annual sheep hunts and gear package drawing. Renewing <1 Club Members receive an entry into the annual drawing. ONE ENTRY PER MEMBER ONLY!

3. <1 Club Members must be a member of WSF in good standing on the drawing date (Jan. 23, 2026) to be entered into drawing. Family Membership in WSF qualifies. You may sign up each family member in the <1 Club for $35 per person if each family member enlisted satisfies Rule #1 above. Winner must be of legal hunting age within the state/prov. at the time of the hunt. Alaska = 10 years old • NWT = 12 years old. If not, another name will be drawn.

4. Three sheep hunts and (3) prize packages will be given away! <1 Club Members will be entered into a drawing for Dall’s sheep hunt with Gana River Outfitters, a Dall’s sheep with Kusawa Lake/North Curl Outfitters or a third hunt (TBD). The hunt winners will also receive a SAAM’s Precision Level One Rifle Training program with FTW Outfitters in Texas. To ensure that each hunt is fully equipped with the best, each hunt winner will also receive a clothing and gear package including an optics package from Leupold, head to toe Sitka Gear clothing, Kenetrek boots, a Mystery Ranch backpack, Bridger Watch, Montana Knife Co. knife, and OnXMaps mobile device maps. Look for new information in the Winter issue of Wild Sheep Magazine as well as the <1 Clubs’ Facebook page.

5. First drawn NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN. The next two winners must be present. Winners are eligible for one prize per year only. Travel to and from sheep hunts and shooting school is responsibility of the winners.

6. Drawing will be held Friday, January 23, 2026 during the 4-6 pm <1 Club/<1 iClub Reception at the 2026 Sheep Show® in the Mount Rose Ballroom of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

NOTE: Membership in the <1 Club does not include entry into the <1 Club/<1iClub Beer Reception. A $40 Reception ticket is required for entry.

7. Hunts are to be taken only in the year specified by the donors. Exceptions are subject to donor’s approval. Hunts MAY ONLY be transferred to another <1 Club Member in good standing & MAY NOT BE SOLD.

8. 8. By joining you certify that you have not yet taken a wild sheep ram* in North America (free range California bighorn, Dall’s, desert bighorn, fannin, Rocky Mountain bighorn or Stone’s sheep) and that you have read and understand the Rules and Regulations set forth by WSF for the <1 Club.

*A wild sheep ram is considered a California bighorn, Dall’s, desert bighorn, fannin, Rocky Mountain bighorn or Stone’s sheep in North America or a non-North American wild sheep taken outside of North America and recognized under WSF’s Mountain Monarchs Award Program.

The <1 Club is for those aspiring sheep hunters who have not taken a wild sheep ram under free range/fair chase conditions in North America or an indigenous ram outside of North America.

4. <1 iClub Members will be entered into a drawing for an Iberian mouflon from Herederos Hunting Co., a bull tahr with Blackstone Outfitters NZ, or a Pyrenean chamois with Spain Safaris. To ensure that each hunt is fully equipped with the best, each hunt winner will receive a Leupold optics package, pair of Schnee boots, backpack from Stone Glacier, Montana Knife Co. knife, Bridger Watch, and OnXMaps mobile device maps. Look for new information in the Winter issue of Wild Sheep Magazine as well as the <1 Clubs’ Facebook page.

RULES & REGULATIONS

1. <1 iClub “Membership” is open ONLY to those mountain hunters who have not yet taken an international wild sheep ram or goat under free range/fair chase conditions*.

2. Annual Membership in the <1 iClub is only $35. New <1 iClub Members receive a <1 iClub T-shirt, club decal, and one (1) entry into the sheep and goat hunts and gear package drawing.

3. <1 iClub Members must be a member of WSF in good standing on the drawing date (Jan. 23, 2026) to be entered into drawing. Family Membership in WSF qualifies. You may sign up each family member in the <1 iClub for $35 per person if each family member enlisted satisfies Rule #1 above.

5. First drawn NEEDS NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN. All other winners must be present to win. Winners are eligible for one prize per year only. Travel to and from sheep/ goat hunts is responsibility of the winners.

6. Drawing will be held Friday, January 23, 2026 during the 4-6 pm <1 Club/<1 iClub Reception at the 2026 Sheep Show® in the Mount Rose Ballroom of the RenoSparks Convention Center.

NOTE: Membership in the <1 iClub does not include entry into the <1 Club/<1iClub Beer Reception. A $40 Reception ticket is required for entry.

7. Hunts are to be taken only in the year specified by the donors. Exceptions are subject to donor’s approval. Hunts may only be transferred to another <1 iClub Member in good standing and MAY NOT BE SOLD.

8. By joining you certify that you have not yet taken an international (non-North American) wild sheep ram or wild goat* and that you have read and understand the Rules and Regulations set forth by WSF for the <1 iClub.

*NOTES: As recognized as a wild sheep ram or goat in the CIC Phenotype List Caprinae (available on WSF website) and under the rules of the WSF Ram and Mountain Monarchs Award Programs.

The <1 iClub is for those who have not taken a free range wild sheep or goat outside of North America. Accordingly, a free range Armenian sheep, aoudad, mouflon, red sheep, or wild feral goat taken in North America does not exclude you from membership in the <1 iClub.

SIGNUP DEADLINES:

NOON, JAN. 23, 2026

DRAWINGS FOR BOTH CLUBS:

OFFICIALLY KICKED OUT!

The following <1 Club® or <1iClub® members have LOST their membership status by taking their first wild sheep rams! Congratulations!

Becky Carlon — Desert bighorn

Twenty years—twenty years of applying and being denied. Finally, I drew a desert bighorn tag in my home state of Nevada. My excitement quickly changed to anxiety, bordering on panic. So much pressure. What if we couldn’t find any? What if I couldn’t make it up the mountain? What if I missed? I needn’t have worried. This was the fourth time in five years that my husband had the privilege of hunting this unit. Twice with friends and once for

himself. Within the first few hours we found a band of 17 rams. He had a good idea where the rams were heading. With support and encouragement from him and our two sons, I made it over the mountain. Not as fast, but I made it. I picked a beautiful, flared ram. Shaking with exhaustion and nerves, somehow, I got it done. Kicked out of the <1 Club®! How often can a whole family be there on a sheep hunt? We have now done it twice, in the same unit. Pretty special! WS After 20 years of waiting, you are Kicked Out Becky!

Chelsea Lloyd — Dall’s sheep

Having the ability to hunt Dall’s sheep in Alaska as a resident is a privilege in itself, but the moment I found out I drew this difficult Dall’s sheep tag as a resident in Alaska, I cannot tell you how excited I was. Then, the work started...scouting the area by the air and on foot, hours in the gym, long distance shooting and plenty of time on the mountain with a heavy pack. Not only did I want to make taking my first ram special, I wanted to accomplish it with another female hunter at my side. When the season finally arrived, my close friend Sam and I hiked back into the area. Although we found rams right away, it wasn’t easy. We found a legal ram on August 8th and wanted to keep tabs on him until opening day. By the morning of the 9th we had lost him and decided to seek out other rams.

After a long day of glassing we headed back to camp. On the way back, 225 yards from where we stood, we ran into the ram from the day prior. He was blocking our route to camp and all we could do was duck behind some boulders to put ourselves out of sight. A few more looks through the glass to confirm legality and it was decided. We would put on every layer of clothing we had and sleep right there in the rocks to take him in the morning on opening day. Unfortunately by morning, he had fed higher and only presented with a 450-yard shot at a difficult angle. I set up on a slightly slanted large rock, got comfortable, and took the shot. Missed him, bullet went a few inches over his back. He ran up and over into a different drainage.

Two days later, we spotted some rams about two miles away, very high on a ridge. They were large enough that even from that distance we could tell they were worth our attention. We came up with a plan and started after them. Not soon after we began our hike, they started heading down the mountain and fed right to us about 400 yards away. At that point we

scrambled to find coverage so we were out of sight, then started closing the distance. I was able to get the ram on my spotting scope one more time to confirm that he was legal. The ram I was after eventually bedded and I snuck in to 240 yards before finding a good spot to lay prone and take the shot. He dropped immediately and I jumped for joy waving down Sam who waited back a few hundred yards, letting her know I sealed the deal. He was a thick-horned, nineyear-old, double-broomed ram. I could not be happier and grateful to have taken such an amazing animal.

One missed long shot, a few busted stalks, then the stars aligned and we made all the right moves that landed me a beautiful old ram...a moment I will never ever forget. It’s crazy when it all comes together! WS

Way to go Chelsea, but you are Kicked Out!

Kyle Gemas — Dall’s sheep

After years of planning and preparation, my opportunity to chase a dream in the mountains finally materialized—August 2025, I found myself in Alaska on a 10-day Dall’s sheep hunt. The experience was everything I thought and hoped it would be, and then some. I hiked over 80 miles, experienced good and bad weather, went days without seeing a ram, and battled moments of mental and physical fatigue—I was sheep hunting! We left camp early on day eight to try and seize the opportunity knowing that time was running out and more bad weather was coming. We found a pair of rams a few hours into our climb up the mountain and stayed with them on an all day stalk. It ultimately culminated with an evening opportunity which I capitalized on with my first wild sheep harvest. I couldn’t be more thrilled and want to thank my outstanding guide, Blake, for an awesome experience in the mountains, and my wife, Megan, and daughter, Kaley, for their support and belief in me as well. Here’s to the next one! WS

It only takes one to get Kicked Out Kyle, but get another!

LAST SHEEP CAMP

General Joe Engle

Longtime WSF Life Member and supporter Maj. Gen. Joe Henry Engle (USAF, ANG RET), 91, passed away peacefully at home in July of 2024. He was surrounded by his loving family in Houston, Texas. WSF just recently found out about his passing and wanted to honor him in the “Last Sheep Camp”. Joe had a smile that lit up the room and he greeted everyone with a hug. He attended many Wild Sheep shows, working with the USA Shooting Team. Joe was an icon in the wild sheep community. He was a friend and will be dearly missed.

Joe Henry was born in Abilene, Kansas on the 26th of August 1932, to Abner and Margaret Engle and raised in Chapman, Kansas. He was the last surviving X-15 pilot and the only astronaut to pilot both the X-15 and the Space Shuttle.

Joe Henry attended his beloved University of Kansas, graduating in 1955 with an aeronautical engineering degree. He received his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Course and after earning his pilots wings, Joe Henry flew the F-100 Super Sabre with the 474th Fighter Day Squadron and the 309th Tactical

Fighter Squadron at George Air Force Base, Victorville, California.

After attending the United States Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School and Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, he was selected as a test pilot in the X-15 research program. He went on to fly the X-15 sixteen times, becoming an astronaut at age 32 flying the X-15 on the 29th of June 1965.

After selection by NASA in 1966, Joe Henry spent the next 20 years supporting the nation’s space program beginning with the Apollo program serving as a CAPCOM, crew member of the 2TV-1 thermo-vacuum test, support crew for Apollo 10, and backup Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 14, before becoming involved in the development of the Space Shuttle. In 1977, he commanded two Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests before commanding two orbital space flights, Space Shuttle Columbia, STS-2, in 1981 and Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-51I, in 1985. It was during STS-2 that Joe Henry manually flew the Space Shuttle vehicle from Mach 25 to landing, the first and only pilot to do so.

After retirement from the USAF,

Joe Henry served in the Air National Guard as an assistant to the commander in chief of the US Space Command and NORAD. For over twenty-five years, he was a critical part of the General Thomas P. Stafford Task Force and NASA ISS Advisory Committee, providing joint recommendations to NASA and Roscosmos leadership to foster international space cooperation.

Joe Henry flew more than 180

different aircraft types and logged more than 14,000 flight hours. His military and civilian decorations include the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, U.S. Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and Space Flight Medal, the Harmon International Aviation Trophy, the Collier Trophy, the Goddard

Dan Pedrotti

Daniel Anthony Pedrotti finished his remarkable, earthly journey and began his new life with his Savior Jesus Christ, on July 30, 2025. He was born on July 15, 1931, to Daniel and Angelina Pedrotti, in Del Rio, Texas. He was the third of their seven children and their first son.

He sought his education at Texas A&M University and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Geology, after he served our Country, as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. After completing his education and starting their family, he and Carolyn moved to Corpus Christi, Texas to raise their family and pursue his career in the oil and gas business. He married his sweetheart, Carolyn Sue, on September 5, 1955, and together they built a loving and enduring family. They raised four children, (all married)—Patti and Charlie Yoachum, Diane and Tom

Conlee, Joyce and Dan Pedrotti, Jr. and Mike and Laureen Pedrotti. He loved without measure and his nearly 70-year marriage to his devoted wife is a wonderful example for his entire family, his many, many great friends and most anyone that was blessed to know him. His legacy is one of faith, love and devotion— to his wife, his family, his friends and his colleagues.

Beyond his commitment to his wife and family, he lived life with passion and purpose. His life was iconic. He was a dedicated geo-scientist, an intrepid adventurer and a worthy role model. He had a profound impact on the many people and organizations in which he unselfishly invested his time, talents and treasure. He will be remembered as a true servant leader.

To the wildlife conservation community, Dan served many roles, notably as a past president

Space Trophy, the Gen. Thomas D. White Space Trophy, and the Kinchelow Experimental Test Pilot’s Trophy. Joe Henry was bestowed with many honors throughout his life, including his 2001 enshrinement in the National Aviation Hall of Fame and a permanent exhibit of his life at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 2021. WS

of FNAWS from 1996-1997 and the Boone and Crockett Club from 19982000. He will be forever remembered as the man who played the pivotal role bringing the conservation community together in 2000 resulting in the creation of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP).

In his memoir, Goals, Adventures, Successes, Pedrotti wrote, “I consider the formation of AWCP and the impact this united effort has had on perpetuating a vision of the legacy of hunting fishing opportunities and wildlife and habitat conservation for the singular most important accomplishment of my years of work in the conservation arena.” He remained actively involved with the Boone and Crockett for decades and in 2021 was awarded their highest honor, the Sagamore Hill Award for “For inspiring the creation of what has become known as the American Wildlife Conservation Partners, which was a significant milestone in the history of conservation.”

His memory is cherished by all those that witnessed his steadfast conviction in the causes and efforts he deemed important. He was a man that knew hard work, smart work, and had an ability to recognize work that was worth the effort.

From the oil and gas industry to wildlife conservation, to his many philanthropic interests, he was a beloved and respected teammate and leader. WS

R. Keith Hite, 77, of Enola, passed away peacefully on Tuesday June 17, 2025, at UPMC West Shore Hospital.

Born on August 16, 1947, in Harrisburg, he was a son of the late Raymond and Audrey (Wagner) Hite. On June 7, 1969, Keith married Linda A. (Young) Hite with whom he has shared a devoted union of 56 years.

Keith’s early years laid the foundation for a life of service and passion. An Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he later earned his Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Management

from Penn State University. Keith had a professional life that was intertwined with the fabric of local governments. He spent over thirty years assisting community leaders navigate various issues. His expertise and leadership shone brightly during his tenure as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) from 2000 to 2010. Prior to this role, he served as a senior official with the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs. Even after his retirement, Keith remained active as a consultant with several advocacy and lobbying organizations.

The commitment Keith felt for the community extended beyond his professional endeavors. He was deeply rooted in his love for Perry County history, dedicating countless hours to historical research. His passion for the past culminated in the authorship of Perry County Gunmakers & Their Guns, a significant work detailing the history of gunsmithing in the region. Keith’s collection of Perry County memorabilia was a testament to his devotion to preserving local heritage. An avid

Shane Pallister

The wild sheep community lost a legend on July 11th. Shane “Ram Hunter” Pallister the man, the myth, the legend, Shane passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side. He is no longer suffering, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. A devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend, Shane was more than a name etched in the mountains—he was a force, a friend, and a fierce advocate for wild places and the sheep that roam them. His passion was unmatched, his

outdoorsman, he cherished the natural world and all it had to offer. Keith was happiest when surrounded by the beauty of nature, whether that was on a hunting expedition or simply enjoying the company of his three German shorthaired pointers. His advocacy for hunting conservation was an integral part of his life, as evidenced by his involvement with the Eastern Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) and his former board membership with the Grand Slam Club - OVIS.

His love for the community was further seen in his active participation in various organizations. Keith was a respected member and former Past Master of Perry Lodge #458 F. & A.M., and a member of the Blue Moon Cruisers (BMC). He also served on the board of directors for several local financial institutions, contributing his wisdom and experience to the betterment of these organizations. Above all else though, Keith was focused on his family. He dedicated himself to their well-being and was the most content when they were together. WS

stories unforgettable, and his presence larger than life. Shane lived an extraordinary life filled with adventure and boundless love for those closest to him. The mountains were his sanctuary, where he found solace and joy in his passion for hunting rams. His vibrant spirit and unwavering devotion to family and friends touched countless lives. He will be dearly missed, but his legacy endures until we meet again. You will be missed, brother. Thank you for the memories, and the fire you lit in all of us. Keep climbing. WS

R. Keith Hite

John Landsiedel

John was born July 2, 1992, to Jay and Denise (McDonald) Landsiedel. John grew up in Minot with a deep appreciation for the outdoors and a passion for adventure. He graduated from Minot Catholic Schools in 2011 where he was a standout athlete and scholar. He was recruited to play football at Minot State University where he attended for one year, but a different kind of “field” tugged at his heart.

John transferred to Montana State University in Bozeman, where he graduated in 2016. Over the past decade, John has worked in various wildlife management capacities. Ultimately, the call of the wilderness and his zest for adventure led him to his dream job in Alaska. Fishing lines cast into icy rivers, the peace and stillness of a morning sunrise, and the thrill of a wildlife sighting

are what truly lit a fire in John’s heart.

John carved his own path in life. He turned his passion for wildlife into a meaningful career in wildlife biology—a career he both loved and was proud of. From the windswept plains of Montana to the rugged wilderness of Alaska, John left a positive impact wherever he went. He was a steward of the land, a protector of wildlife, and a friend to all who shared his passion for the outdoors.

With a big personality, a gregarious laugh, and a quick wit, John made lasting impressions. Whether he was racing a snow machine across frozen landscapes, camping in subzero temperatures, or calling home to share details of his job and most recent project with his family, John lived every day with passion and curiosity.

His birth brought us unimaginable joy, and his passing has left us with unfathomable grief.

John’s love for the wilderness was matched only by his love for the people in his life. His family and friends were so important to him. He had a special bond with his sister, Sydney. They shared a unique understanding of one another. She often commented she was the only one who truly understood him and he her.

John is survived by his parents, Jay and Denise; his sister, Sydney and her husband, Matt Yale; his beloved nieces and nephews, Grant Christen, and Pippen and Della Yale. He is also survived by his grandmothers, LaRae McDonald and Phyllis Landsiedel; his aunts and uncles, Pat Landsiedel, Chris (Tim) Kramer, Tom (Andrea) Landsiedel, Michelle (Curt) Saari, Doug (Kolette) McDonald, his adored partner, Jess Dahlberg, many cherished cousins and countless friends across the country, and last but not least, his loyal dog, Mud.

John was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jim McDonald and John Landsiedel III; his aunt, Renae McDonald; and several other extended family members, and recently his constant companion, and beloved dog, Trigger.

John leaves behind not just precious memories, but inspiration and a reminder to each of us to do whatever sets your soul ablaze, to live boldly and love fiercely.

John’s boots may be still, but his spirit roams free— forever a part of this land he loved so much.

John’s family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to our family and friends who have embraced us and supported us with your love and prayers during this difficult time. We would also like to thank John’s Alaskan family who welcomed him when we were so far away. We will be forever grateful for their love and care for John. WS

Verl Stanley Potts Jr. of Buhl, Idaho, a former resident of the Mackay, Salmon and Hailey areas in Idaho, and Clover Valley near Wells, Nevada, passed away September 1, 2025, in Rupert, Idaho, at the age of 91. Stan lived an adventurous life as a husband, father, grandfather, miner, logger, Idaho and Nevada farmer and rancher, pilot, big game outfitter, real estate broker, land developer, pipeline welder, heavy equipment operator, law enforcement officer, rodeo cowboy, judge and announcer, sculptor, buckaroo, horse and mule trainer, deli cook, tree farm entrepreneur, and author of five books based on his life. While recuperating from a near fatal accident in1999, Stan put pen to several brown paper sacks and wrote his first book, The Potts Factor versus Murphy’s Law. He joked that the saying “Jack of all trades and master of none” was expressly coined for him.

Stan, also known as Stanley, was born May 28, 1934, to parents Sarah Mildred Gray Potts and Verl Stanley Potts at his grandparents’ home near Mackay, Idaho. He recently told family, “I was born

in a log cabin with a dirt floor in Mackay, Idaho.” He attended schools in Mackay, excelling in football and rodeo. In 1952, he, along with his life-long friend, Jerry Twitchell, and fellow cowboy, Stanley Allen, were the first Idaho cowboys to attend the National High School Rodeo Finals held in Montana. He later attended the University of Idaho in Moscow on a football scholarship, where he also participated on the rodeo and boxing teams.

Growing up, Stan helped on the farms of his father and his grandparents, Herbert and Ada Gray. At the young age of 12 he had saved enough money to help his father purchase a nearby farm, which later became home for him and his bride, Joy Elizabeth Blume Potts, from Lamoille, Nevada.

Stan and Joy were married March 7, 1954, at The Little Church of the Crossroads in Lamoille. In 1958, they purchased the Angel Creek Ranch in Clover Valley, south of Wells, Nevada, where they raised alfalfa hay and their three daughters, Kay, Robyn, and Stani. Stan’s adventures continued in Nevada as he brought deep wells and sprinkler irrigation to the valley. Helping friends and neighbors to organize the Wells Flying Club, he developed his love of flying. He piloted his airplane into Idaho’s backcountry where Stan and Joy operated their hunting business at the Hotzel Ranch at Chamberlain Basin, the Taylor Ranch at Big Creek, and later from their home on the Salmon River near Shoup, Idaho.

Stan wrote about some of the things he did “for enjoyment and some of these made a little money”: airplane pilot for 43 years; owning six different airplanes. He was an airplane builder (his KIT plane), a test pilot, flew from the tip of Baja California to the Arctic Circle that same year in his Cessna 180 (2242

Charlie), and held aircraft single and multi-engine, commercial and instrument land pilot’s licenses.

Stan also was the first Idaho-born hunter to collect a FNAWS on wild sheep. He hunted in the Yukon, British Columbia, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada.

With his true entrepreneurial spirit, Stan earned his real estate broker’s license while living in Hailey, Idaho. “Retiring” to their log home built at Colson Creek near Shoup, Idaho, Stan continued their hunting business and developed a 10,000-plus tree farm.

Stan is survived by daughters Robyn (Jerry) Maxfield, and Stani (Chris) Malmgren; sister Marlene Huebert; brother Charles Potts; brother-in-law Lloyd Blume, Jr.; and nieces Marci Huebert, Johanna Franck, Emily (Mukunda) Potts Loprinzi, Natalie (Erik) Turner, and Brandy Blume. He was Poppy to his grandchildren Jay (Georgia) Black, Jeny (Scotty) Pavkov, Tim (Leah) Maxfield, and Addie (Kory) Kelzer; greatgrandchildren, Jette and Kole Black, Joe and Jes Pavkov, Quinton and Stella Maxfield, Genevieve Joy and Mackenzie Kelzer, and greatgreat grandson Matthew Black.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Joy Elizabeth Blume Potts; daughter Kay LeAnn Potts Black; brother Don Gray; parents Sarah Gray Potts and Verl Stanley Potts; in-laws Lloyd and Marian Blume; brother-in-law, Chuck Huebert; sister-in-law, Ann Potts; nephew, Cory Huebert; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

At Stan’s request there will be no formal service, but a private family gathering will be held at a later date. If you would like to honor Stan’s memory by making a donation, the Idaho Outfitter’s and Guides Association (www.ioga.org) and Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation (idahowildsheep.org) were two of his favorite organizations. WS

Stanley Potts

RPS Bancard LLC is the preferred merchant services provider for the Wild Sheep Foundation, and proud participating partner of the WSF WE GIVE Program.

RPS provides Retail and E-Commerce businesses with ultracompetitive rates for credit/debit card processing.

RPS will help minimize your company’s merchant services fees while maximizing your support of WSF, as RPS donates a percentage of your processing fees to the WSF Conservation Revolving Fund.

Join RPS in supporting the WSF WE GIVE Program, and support our shared passion for “Putting and Keeping Wild Sheep on the Mountain®”.

PAYMENT INNOVATIONS FOR A CHANGING WORLD.

TRAVEL & GEAR

•

•

•

•

•

Advertiser’s Index

Adam Bronson & Jason Carter

ON THE ADVENTURE TRAIL

by Ken Nowicki

HOME RANGE

Homeward bound, I wish I was homeward bound,*

*Simon & Garfunkel

Iwas excited to show Lead-On Highfee and Packtrain MacNamee the pictures I took on my scouting trip for rams up in the Opal Rock Range. These two old outfitters are really stingy with tips on where to find trophy sheep. I don’t know why they keep their secrets. Both have been retired from outfitting for years. I try to engage them in conversations hoping to find where to get a big ram.

Lead-On held concessions in Alberta and the Yukon and northern B.C. He was a talented pilot and a backpack specialist before it got popular. His old Trapper Nelson pack should be in a museum.

Packtrain preferred hunting with horses and owned numerous outfits in whole or in part, depending on his personal finances. He suffered his entire life from Cook’s Disease and this resulted in several divorces and the attendant divisions of property. He managed to cobble the funds together to buy a pretty little acreage near town and his specialty these days is training gentle horses for his numerous grandchildren. That and giving advice freely to anyone in town who asks.

We meet at Ruby’s Café in the heart of the Kootenay Mountain Country twice a week. For years I have been trying to get a good lead on where to find a monster

ram. They have given me lots of advice on how to hunt sheep, but never once have they answered my questions where to go. I keep trying

to pry some locations out of them by paying for coffee and pie and nodding and bobbing my head at everything they say. I am the perfect

example of a sycophant.

This time I had some pictures of one ram with a collar. I read about the Wildlife Branch putting GPS units on the sheep in the Opals. I think they got the funding from WSF (Wild Sheep Foundation) and the study aimed to determine the home range of the various herds in each WMU (Wildlife Management Units). I drove out there and spotted a group of rams with big black boxes hanging like goiters on their necks. I tried to call the Wildlife Branch (WB) but finally quit when I was on hold for two hours. I showed Lead-On and Packtrain the pictures off my phone and that was my first mistake. They don’t like phones.

“I can find these studies online and look at the data,” I said. “I can pinpoint every ping. I’ll know exactly where the rams are living. I’ll get my ram on opening day. Then I can come home.”

“Boy, you don’t get it do you?” Packtrain was clearly irritated. “You do not ever want to shoot your ram on opening day.”

“That’s for darn sure, Boy.” Lead-On chimed in. “Where’s the climbing, the blisters, the cold nights in a tent, the bugs, the misery, the pain, the boredom too, and those are some of the fun parts of hunting sheep?”

”Listen and listen good,” added Packtrain. “I never got a repeat hunter from killing a ram on the first day of a hunt. When a hunter goes home early there is no memories of anything but the dead ram. You got to make the hunt an experience. I started by riding into camp, and after a long 12-hour day, the hunters might have saddle sores.

“The next day we needed to rest

the horses. That day I’d take the clients out and do a good hard climb. That usually blistered the feet. Heee hee, most hunters would be crippled up a day or two from those tortures. They were more compliant and most grateful when they found the sheep.”

“Now why use horses if you need to rest them,” chided LeadOn. “I thought the horses were supposed to carry the hunters. You were always babying them broncs when you should have been babying the hunters.”

He continued, “I’d always freak out my dudes on the flight into the mountains. Lots of them were traumatized.” He giggled. “After that I would baby the hunters. We’d just poke around the mountains and try and find the rams. That’s what makes an adventure. That’s what the clients will remember when they is sitting in the easy chair holding forth to the grandkids about those big curly horns hanging on the wall.”

“Let me explain these home range studies for you,” he opined. “The term home range is a misnomer. I don’t care whether a study shows the sheep travel 50 miles or a hundred. The challenge is finding the home where the hoofs are. I didn’t never like to pre-season scout. Wise old rams move when they see a bunch of activity before opening day. They split the scene, Boy. You better remember that. Mooch into the country nice and slow and try and spot the sheep before they spot you.”

“The home range studies started with ducks,” continued Lead-On. “They got banding them and all shook up when they found some went across the pond. So what?

Birds fly. And lots of critters migrate hundreds of miles summer to winter range. Then you take the grizzly bears. The park guys would trap and translocate them a couple hundred miles into my outfitting area. But low and behold they would head back home in a month. Of course I didn’t give them a warm reception and they quite often went home with a sore butt.”

“I’ve seen tags on deer and elk and even fish. The Wildlife guys are obsessed with it. They put these tags on chipmunks. Everybody was gobsmacked when they found out how far game travels. But they never asked us outfitters. We know all about this stuff. I knew where the rams were at all times in my areas.” Packtrain puffed up. “They should pay me and I can show them where all the rams are living.”

“Is that so?” Lead-On was twisting in his chair and I was holding my breath. Maybe a tip was coming. Or maybe they were going to scrap. But no, Lead-On got on a roll.

“They started painting the horns red and blue back in the 60’s and then trying to see where they went. That made some hunters mad so they went to colored collars. They used them until the 70’s. But those collars ruined a lot of capes. So then they got to piercing and putting numbers on ear tags. That was the game plan in the 80’s until they got out the radio transmitters to track them from planes. Now they are using this GPS location technology and hanging them on sheep like dog collars. Ewes too. They put these GoThrow cameras on them. I hate it. I don’t like sheep getting man-handled.”

“All animals and people too, have a homing instinct. Mostly it has

to do with our Mama’s,” Lead-On needled Packtrain. “We all want to get home to a warm bed.”

“I had hunters tap out after a couple days,” continued Packtrain. “They come up with all kind of excuses and it got real bad when we started getting Sat-Phones in camp. Seems that these tappers would find they had important business to get home to. I could never understand it. Just because we had no ram tied down for the first day.”

“I got to say,” mused Lead-On, “I liked it when a hunter hightailed it out after getting a ram. There’s only so long I could take the gratitude. I never like a combo hunt. I preferred the hunters to get a sheep and go home.”

“They was just tired of your grub. You was just too cheap to keep feeding them in camp,” snarked Packtrain. “That freeze dried army rations you spooned out cost you nothing. I always hired a good cook and she would fork out homecooked meals.”

“Look where that got you,” cracked Lead-On. “Broke with lawyer bills and alimony checks.”

“Guys,” I intervened before they got sniping each other. “Don’t you think that hunters can benefit from these home range studies? We keep paying for them.”

“Boy, I’d rather some of these things remain a mystery. I think you’d be a better sheep hunter if you’d just forget about getting a ram and think more about being a sheep hunter. Whether or not you get a ram is not the key question. What is important is how much time you spend in the mountains.”

“But when a hunter pays for an outfitter shouldn’t he get a return for all the time and effort and the expense?” I asked. “You got to shoot a ram to get your money’s worth, don’t you think?”

“No I don’t,” opined Lead-On. “You can’t calculate things that way. Sheep hunting is a matter of style.” (This from a guy who

wears the same greasy vest and beanie every day and shaves once a month.) “A real ram hunter gets as much expertise as possible from reading books and asking questions, I grant you that, Boy. But it’s experience that you really want and that comes from spending time climbing up and down mountains and fording rivers and getting so cold you want to pull your gloves off to see if your fingers are left. That’s fine style.”

“Now you listen Boy, there is an unwritten code that after you sell an area you can never go back. Capiche?” Was that, I wondered, why I never got any tips?

“You find that collared ram and follow him on foot all over creation, if you can. But don’t be spoofing locations from those home range studies,” added Packtrain. “I believe that the information should be kept secret and that anybody who works on the study should be banned from hunting that range of mountains for ten years. Otherwise, it’s not fair to to everyone else. It’s also foolish to release it to the public.” (I was puzzled to hear him use the term spoofing. Surely he didn’t know about that.)

“We outfitters had to register the location of our harvest and I never liked that. Why should the compulsory inspectors and game wardens know exactly where we shot our sheep? They have studies to prove the home range is 50 miles wide. That should be enough information for the biologists to set the seasons. All they really need is what WMU the ram came from.”

“More better you look for them outlier rams anyway,” said LeadOn giving me a serious stare. “You want to find the big old rams that left home and never went back. You just might find one where nobody knows and nobody goes. Somewhere like Hidden Creek.” (Yike’s I thought, is that a tip?) It’s miles from any known sheep country.”

“Wanting a ram is way better than having a ram, trust me.” Packtrain said and pushed up and stepped off the swivel stool he prefers at Ruby’s Counter. “I best get back and check on the horses. Maybe you could catch the coffee,” he said with a sly smile. Lead-On was right behind him.

I was glad to pay. I thought I knew where that Hidden Creek is. I settled the bill and left Ruby a good tip. Then I went and stared at the GPS map in my truck and drove out to a landing on the little creek on the east side of Stippled Peaks. I put the scope on the window mount and started to glass all those pretty slopes. I fell asleep listening to the radio. I really didn’t feel like going home. WS

Editors Note

• Nowicki reports he spent 42 days before getting his first Stone’s ram. But now he believes it will be easier because his new truck has a mapping system and he can waypoint locations and correlate them with a miniature Starlight dish that works sporadically but enough to facilitate communication with his computer and phone. Where reception is poor, he has found burning donuts on the logging landings helps to catch the signal. He also subscribes to Serious Radio but only for the news channels. He finds music a distraction. He is also experimenting with a drone but B.C. regulations forbid using it during hunting seasons. He is hoping to present a discussion paper on the Ethical Questions Raised For Sheep Hunters by Home Range Studies at the next Sheep Show® in Reno.

Aron Snyder

Hilleberg Team

When you set out to exceed the limits of what is expected of hunting ammunition, you don’t do it by guessing what should happen. You test, evaluate and refine until you arrive at Hornady ® Precision Hunter ® ammunition, loaded with our ballistically advanced ELD-X® bullet with Heat Shield® tip. Engineered specifically to deliver match accuracy and lethality at all practical ranges, Hornady ® Precision Hunter ® ammunition is the best ALL-RANGE hunting ammunition.

4DOF® available on the Hornady ® Kestrel ® 5700 Ballistics Weather Meter